A clinical

Table 1 Proposed variation on the WHO surgical safety checklist to augment the pre-operative safety briefing and enhance the safety of the breast cancer patient undergoing surgery

Read aloud before administering general anaesthesia
Has the patient confirmed their name / site of surgery / procedure and consent?	YES	NO
Is the anaesthetic machine / medications complete?	YES	NO
Does the patient have an allergy (especially to blue dye)?	YES (if yes – details)	NO
Which breast / axilla is being operated on?	Right	Left	Both
Is the surgical site marked?	YES	NO (If ‘NO’ - do not administer GA, consult with surgeon / surgical team)
Is a pre-operative localisation procedure required?	YES	NO
If a pre-operative localisation procedure is required, has it been performed?	YES	NO (If ‘NO’ - do not administer GA, consult surgeon / surgical team)	N/A
Is a SLNB procedure being conducted?	YES	NO
If a SLNB procedure is being conducted has radioisotope injection been administered and is patent blue V / gamma probe available?	YES	NO (If ‘NO’ - do not administer GA, consult surgeon / surgical team)	N/A
Is the patient having a breast prosthesis inserted?	YES	NO
If a breast prosthesis is required has it been ordered / available in theatre?	YES	NO (If ‘NO’ - do not administer GA, consult surgeon / surgical team)	N/A

ISSN: 1754-9493