Pictured left to right at the launch of the e-learning module, Professor Deborah McNamara (Vice President of RCSI and Co-Lead for NCPS); Ruth Kiely (Programme Manager for NCPTOS), Ciara Hughes (Programme Manager for NCPS), Aileen O’Brien (Nurse Lead for NCPA), and Professor Laura Viani (President of RCSI).

In collaboration with the National Clinical Programmes for Anaesthesia and Trauma and Orthopaedics, the NCPS launched a new e-learning module for the five stages of safe surgery in June 2023.  The module supports the HSE National Policy and Procedure for Safe Surgery, which was updated in 2022, and highlights the importance of respecting the five stages of safe surgery, including the checklist process.

The module is mandatory for all staff working within operating Theatres, and encourages safe surgery guidelines to be followed by all team members in order to deliver safe, quality care to patients. It is available on HSE-Land.

NCPS Co-Lead Professor Deborah McNamara said at the launch, “Ensuring that patients are safe when undergoing surgery is a priority for everyone working in operating theatre departments across Ireland. The five stages of safe surgery, built on previous work using the safe surgery checklist, creates a way for the entire multidisciplinary theatre team to work together to ensure safer care. RCSI welcome the development of this e-learning module because for the first time, we have an easily accessible educational tool suitable for use by everyone working in the operating department.”

NCPS Programme Manager Ciara Hughes and NCPA Nurse Lead Aileen O’Brien presented a poster on the Five Stages of Safe Surgery at the National Patient Safety Office Conference on the 19th October.