Impact of Joint Nursing–Operating Room Technician–Anesthesia Equipment Readiness Checklists on Intraoperative Delays and Patient Safety

Abstract

The implementation of a joint Nursing–Operating Room Technician–Anesthesia Equipment Readiness Checklist represents a transformative strategy in perioperative care, directly targeting the systemic vulnerabilities that lead to preventable intraoperative delays and patient safety events. By mandating a synchronous, multidisciplinary verification of anesthesia equipment, surgical instruments, medications, and critical supplies before patient induction, this intervention shifts the discovery and resolution of potential problems to a proactive, pre-operative phase. This structured process intercepts equipment failures, missing items, and communication gaps that traditionally manifest as disruptive crises after a patient is anesthetized, thereby streamlining operating room workflow and enhancing efficiency. Beyond reducing delay times and improving on-time starts, the checklist fortifies patient safety by creating redundant verification loops for critical items like emergency drugs and implants, while simultaneously fostering a culture of shared accountability and psychological safety among team members. The collective briefing inherent in the tool builds shared mental models, improves situational awareness, and empowers all staff to speak up about concerns, ultimately creating a more resilient defense against errors in the high-stakes surgical environment.