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ACCEPTANCE AND UTILIZATION OF SURGICAL SAFETY CHECKLIST AMONG OPERATING ROOM PROFESSIONALS IN TWO NIGERIAN TERTIARY HEALTH INSTITUTIONS

Studies have shown that adherence to WHO Surgical Safety Checklist (WHOSSC) reduces mortality and surgical
complications, but the extent to which it is being accepted and used in South West Hospitals in Nigeria is yet to be
established. This study therefore assesses the awareness, perception and utilization of the WHOSSC in tertiary health
institutions, South-western Nigeria. Adopting a descriptive cross-sectional design, questionnaire was administered on
105 operating room professionals who formed the sample. The collected data were analysed with descriptive and
inferential statistical techniques. Findings from the study shows that 97% of the respondents are aware of the WHOSSC
but only 56.1% belief that its inclusion in the care of surgical patients will promote safety and saves time. Further analysis
shows that 38.1% of the respondents have utilized the WHOSSC. Factors identified as barriers to utilization of the
WHOSSC are lack of training (92.8 %) and sanction by the leaders of health institutions (76.6%). The study therefore
concludes that despite the high awareness of WHOSSC among surgical personnel, its acceptance and utilization leave
so much to desire.

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