Dr. Sumait Hospital proudly announces the publication of a new international research article addressing one of the most critical challenges in healthcare delivery in low-resource and fragile settings: ensuring patient safety during surgical care.
The article, titled “Improving Surgical Safety in Somalia: A Closed-Loop Audit Study of WHO Surgical Safety Checklist Adherence,” was authored by Fathi Yasin Yusuf from the Department of ICU, Dr. Sumait Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, SIMAD University, alongside a multidisciplinary team of co-authors.
Published in the international peer-reviewed journal Risk Management and Healthcare Policy (Dove Medical Press – Taylor & Francis Group), the study provides rare, context-specific evidence from Somalia on the implementation and impact of the World Health Organization (WHO) Surgical Safety Checklist.
About the Study
Surgical safety remains a global health priority, yet its consistent implementation in low- and middle-income countries is often limited by resource constraints, workforce challenges, and system-level barriers. In Somalia, evidence on surgical safety practices has been particularly scarce.
This prospective closed-loop clinical audit was conducted at Dr. Sumait Hospital, a tertiary referral and teaching hospital in Mogadishu. The study observed 160 surgical procedures across two audit cycles, assessing adherence to the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist during the sign-in, time-out, and sign-out phases.
Following a targeted intervention—including staff education, leadership engagement, and visual reminders in operating theatres—the study demonstrated a dramatic improvement in checklist adherence.
Key Highlights
The research revealed that:
- Overall checklist compliance increased from 51.38% to 93.01%
- Sign-in adherence improved from 54.62% to 88.19%
- Time-out adherence showed the greatest improvement, rising from 50.60% to 96.94%
- Sign-out adherence increased from 47.29% to 95.01%
- Improved team communication played a key role in enhancing patient safety
- Low-cost, context-sensitive interventions can produce significant safety gains even in resource-limited settings
Why This Research Matters
Globally, millions of patients experience preventable surgical complications each year. In fragile health systems, these risks are often magnified. This study provides strong evidence that structured audits, leadership support, and targeted education can transform surgical safety practices without requiring expensive technology or infrastructure.
The findings offer a practical, scalable model for improving perioperative care in Somalia and similar low-resource or post-conflict settings, reinforcing the WHO’s “Safe Surgery Saves Lives” initiative.
Read the Full Article
🔗 https://doi.org/10.2147/RMHP.S572567
Dr. Sumait Hospital remains committed to advancing research, innovation, and evidence-based healthcare to improve patient outcomes and strengthen health systems locally and beyond.