Table 1.

Content of the handover checklist

Preoperative

Intervention (history of present illness, elective vs. emergency, etc.)

Patient (name, age, sex, ASA status, etc.)

Past history (medical, surgical, anaesthetic, family, etc.)

Allergies

Medications (anticoagulants, antibiotics, cardiac, diabetic, etc.)

Team (anaesthesia, surgeon, nurses, etc.)

Intraoperative

Anaesthetic technique

Induction

Airway – Cormack/Lehane

Equipment (vascular access, monitoring, etc.)

In & Out (iv fluids, blood products, urine output, blood loss, etc.)

Injections (neuromuscular blockers, PONV prophylaxis, narcotics, antibiotics, vasopressors, etc.)

Remaining time

Haemodynamic and respiratory stability

Postoperative

PACU (plan for emergence: extubation/intubation; lab, radiograph, regional, pain, etc.)

Postoperative orders

Disposition (ambulatory, floor, monitored bed, ICU, etc.)

Miscellaneous

Special clinical/study protocol

OR planning (following case, set-up and materials, etc.)

Documentation of transfer of care

ASA, American Society of Anesthesiologists’ physical status; OR, operating room; PACU, postanaesthesia care unit; PONV, postoperative nausea and vomiting.