Kerala Standardizes Surgery to Cut Errors

The Kerala government has officially approved a unified surgical protocol for all state-run healthcare facilities. This decision aims to significantly bolster patient safety and standardize surgical procedures throughout the state's public health system. The protocol, developed by the directorate of medical education, adheres to global safety standards from the World Health Organization while being tailored to Kerala's specific healthcare environment.

Key measures include mandatory preoperative checks by ward doctors and nurses to verify patient identity and records. Patients will receive color-coded wristbands detailing their procedure type and medical information. To prevent wrong-site surgeries, mandatory marking of the surgical site is now in place before patients are moved to the operating theatre. A detailed preoperative checklist must be completed and verified beforehand.

The protocol introduces a structured operating room system incorporating internationally recognized practices. This includes a three-stage checklist—sign-in, time-out, and sign-out—for all anesthesia procedures. Strict infection control and medication safety checks are also mandated. The time-out phase, conducted before incision, requires the entire surgical team to confirm critical details, ensuring all members are aligned for patient safety and procedural accuracy.