Tips to Help Members Encourage their Surgical Team to Use the Checklist
To have this important discussion with your doctor or nurse, consider these suggested steps:
In advance of surgery:
- Once you learn you will need surgery, download and print the Blue Surgical Safety ChecklistSM ("Checklist") and FAQ and take them with you to your doctor's appointment(s).
- At the appointment, ask a member of your healthcare team, your physician or a nurse for instance, if they are familiar with the Checklist and whether or not they use it.
- If they are unfamiliar with or not using the Checklist, share it with them and ask that it be used by the surgical team for your procedure.
- If your caregiver seems reluctant, share the facts listed in the FAQ. Yes, this Checklist may mean a change to their normal routine, but using this proven tool can improve communication among the surgical team and prevent avoidable errors in the operating room.
On the day of surgery:
- Bring a copy of the Checklist to the hospital with you. Give it to your surgeon or a member of his/her surgical team and remind them that it is important that the steps on the Checklist are followed during your surgery.
After the surgery:
- Please send your thoughts, feedback and experiences to our e-mail address at PatientSafety@bcbsa.com. Your feedback will help us help providers to improve the quality of care in your community and the safety of patients everywhere.
