Development and implementation results of an interactive computerized surgical checklist for robotic-assisted gynecologic surgery

To address surgical complications, the World Health Organization (WHO) developed the Safe Surgery Saves Lives Checklist. With the foundation of the WHO’s checklist, a robotic-specific checklist (RORCC) was developed using standardized content and face validity methods. The RORCC was implemented in a high volume gynecological (GYN) specialty group using minimally invasive robotic-assisted surgery. Data were abstracted from patients undergoing GYN procedures from four GYN surgeons at an urban, community hospital during November 16, 2010 to May 15, 2011 (pre-RORCC) n = 89 and from the period May 16, 2011 to November 16 2011 (post-RORCC) n = 121. Thirty-day readmissions pre-checklist and post-checklist were 12 and 5, respectively, which is a significant (p = 0.02) reduction. The duration of surgery was not significantly affected (p = 0.40) with pre-RORCC surgery time at 110.1 (35.7) min versus post-RORCC surgery time at 112.9 (37.4) min. This study demonstrated the feasibility of integrating an electronic, interactive, and robotic-specific checklist for gynecologic robotic-assisted surgery which resulted in a significant reduction in readmissions at the 30-day without significantly impacting operating room times.