The Kerala Health Department has introduced a comprehensive surgical safety protocol to prevent errors during procedures. The guidelines, issued on April 15, mandate strict pre-operative verification, patient identification, and enhanced documentation to ensure patient safety across all healthcare institutions in the state.
As part of the protocol, patients will be provided with wristbands containing surgery details, and the specific surgical site must be marked in advance to avoid wrong-site procedures. Phone calls and non-essential communications inside operation theatres (OTs) have been restricted to minimise distractions.
The guidelines require doctors and nurses to complete patient details, including IP number and case records, prior to surgery. A pre-operative checklist must be filled and signed by the ward doctor and nurse-in-charge, and verified by the OT nursing officer before shifting the patient to the theatre.
The protocol also mandates strict counting and documentation of surgical instruments and materials. Details must be recorded on a whiteboard before surgery, and counts must be rechecked post-procedure, with reports submitted to the concerned authorities.
The guidelines call for clear communication regarding procedures, risks, and benefits, along with separate consents for anaesthesia, surgery, and blood transfusion. Hospitals have also been directed to strengthen counselling systems and provide regular updates to patient relatives.
The protocol aligns with global safety standards, including those of the World Health Organization (WHO), while incorporating context-specific improvements, officials said.
