Checklists, briefings and debriefings: an evidence summary

This document provides evidence for the use of checklists, briefings and debriefings, providing an overview of research and studies undertaken in various hospitals.

Surgical checklists, briefings and debriefings have recently begun to be used in theatres worldwide. The aim of these tools is to improve the quality and safety of health care services provided to patients undergoing surgery and to help prevent adverse events. Checklists, briefings and debriefings have been derived from other high reliability industries, where errors are not acceptable, such as aviation and nuclear power.