This course teaches you how to use the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist as it was intended: as a team conversation that catches errors, not a form to complete. It covers the briefing, sign in, time out, sign out and debrief, shows what good and poor practice look like, and gives you practical words to use when you need to speak up in theatre.
What you will learn
- Describe the purpose and content of each stage of the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist and the Five Steps to Safer Surgery.
- Lead or take part in a team briefing, sign in, time out, sign out and debrief to the expected standard.
- Recognise the signs of a checklist being used as a tick-box exercise and explain why this is dangerous.
- Use structured language to raise a concern or stop a procedure safely, whatever your grade or profession.
- Reflect on your own use of the checklist and plan specific improvements to your practice.
Course content
- Why the checklist exists (2 min)
- The Five Steps to Safer Surgery (2 min)
- Sign in, time out and sign out in detail (4 min)
- Why the checklist fails: human factors (3 min)
- Speaking up in theatre (3 min)
- Case study: a time out that did not work (3 min)
- Improving your own practice (1 min)
- Knowledge check (10 questions, 10 min)
- Guided reflection (15 min)
Standards and guidance covered
- GMC: Good Medical Practice (2024), including working collaboratively, patient safety and raising concerns
- NMC: The Code (2015, updated 2018), including working cooperatively, preserving safety and raising concerns
- National Safety Standards for Invasive Procedures 2 (NatSSIPs 2, 2023), Centre for Perioperative Care
- World Health Organization: Surgical Safety Checklist and Implementation Manual
- Royal College of Surgeons of England: Good Surgical Practice
- Association for Perioperative Practice: Standards and recommendations for safe perioperative practice
Certificate
Courses are free to study. When you pass the knowledge check (80%) and complete your reflection, you can buy a verified certificate showing your CPD time, with a unique ID and QR code that anyone can check on our verification page.
Study free at your own pace on any device.
Practitioner Insight is an independent education provider. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the GMC, MPTS, NMC, HCPC, GPhC or any NHS organisation, and this information is not legal advice. If you have been referred to a regulator, speak to your defence organisation, trade union or legal representative.