What the study found
The study found that checklist adherence improved after targeted audit-based interventions at Prince Osman Digna Hospital in Sudan. The authors report that the improvements were especially clear for several communication-related checklist items.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that audit-driven strategies can improve surgical safety practices in resource-limited settings. They also suggest this provides a scalable model for ongoing quality improvement.
What the researchers tested
The researchers conducted a closed-loop clinical audit from March to August 2025 to assess baseline compliance with the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist, a checklist used to support safe surgery and perioperative care. They reviewed 101 surgical cases in the first cycle, introduced staff education, standardized checklist documentation, and regular feedback, and then reviewed 203 consecutive surgical cases in a second cycle.
What worked and what didn't
After the intervention, compliance improved in most measured areas. Reported gains included team introductions, discussion of anticipated critical steps, surgical counts, specimen labeling, and nursing sterility confirmation; surgical site marking showed little change.
What to keep in mind
The summary does not describe limitations beyond the single-hospital setting and the two audit cycles reported here. The findings are specific to Prince Osman Digna Hospital and to the checklist items measured in this audit.
Key points
- A closed-loop clinical audit was used to measure and improve WHO Surgical Safety Checklist compliance.
- Baseline adherence was especially low for communication-dependent items.
- After staff education, standardized documentation, and feedback, most checklist measures improved.
- Surgical site marking showed minimal change after the intervention.
- The authors say the approach may be a scalable model for quality improvement in resource-limited settings.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Audit interventions improved WHO surgical checklist adherence
- Authors:
- Elmustafa Alkhalifa, Tartel Ahmed, Shima Mohamed Abdallah Alradi, Ward Awadelkarim Elsayed Elhag, Gihad Abdelmonim Mohamed Salih, Rania Ali Eissa Wadi, Abdelsalam Algray Abdelsalam Algray, Afrah Mohamed Idrisshaikh Mohamed, Solima Mohammed Abdelgadir Mohammed, Muhammad Altahir Ahmed Omer, Nidal Youseef AlTaher Aboh
- Institutions:
- Ahfad University for Women, Health Service Executive, Karary University, Red Sea University, Sudan Medical Specialization Board, Sudan Medical Specialization Board, Sudan Medical Specialization Board, Sudan Medical Specialization Board, Sudan Medical Specialization Board, Sudan Medical Specialization Board, University of Gezira
- Publication date:
- 2026-03-06
- OpenAlex record:
- View
Get the weekly research newsletter
Stay current with scholarly research without reading academic papers — one filtered digest, every Friday.