Objective 2: The purpose of the ESCP Safe-anastomosis checklist
In Module 1, we have discussed how preoperative risk stratification helps shared decision making with the patient. This supports the surgeon to make a preoperative plan for the anastomosis.
However, intra-operative unplanned events can also impact the safety of anastomosis.
The ESCP Safe-anastomosis checklist allows these events to be considered by the team during the operation, and the decision about whether or not to create an anastomosis to be revisited.
Holding a formal ‘time-out’ to review intraoperative events, provides the surgical, anaesthetic and theatre staff the opportunity to consider:
- Whether to continue with the pre-operative plan
- Whether to re-consider, in light of any significant intraoperative events, in partnership with the multidisciplinary theatre team.
- Improve the ‘human factors‘ around anastomotic decision making.
Human factors and anastomotic decision making
This video discusses who might be involved in the anastomotic decision making process:
Furthermore, performing the ESCP Safe-anastomosis checklist engages all members of the team, ensuring the theatre is calm, quiet and focused during this critical part of the operation.
The ESCP Safe-anastomosis programme recommends that this checklist is performed immediately before the anastomosis is formed.
This video discusses when the ESCP Safe-anastomosis checklist should be used during an operation:
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