Development of patient safety checklist in interventional radiology and evaluation of nurse opinions

INTRODUCTION AND OBJEKTIVE: Interventional radiology offers diagnostic and therapeutic options as a minimally invasive alternative to surgery in many cases; however, it also bring various patient and staff safety risks such as radiation exposure, interventional complications, and lack of communication within the team. Standardized checklists are an important tool for ensuring safety. The aim of this study is to develop a patient safety checklist for interventional radiology, aimed at enhancing patient and staff safety, and to evaluate its applicability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is descriptive and observational. The checklist, developed through a literature review, existing international checklists, and expert opinions, was assessed by observing 100 interventional radiology cases and then revised based on the findings obtained. The final checklist was presented to 20 nurses working in an interventional radiology unit, and their opinions were collected through a questionnaire. The data were evaluated using frequency and percentage analyses. RESULTS: The patients had a mean age of 61,15 ± 15,42 years, 51% were male, and 82% underwent procedures for vascular intervention in interventional radiology. The nurses had a mean age of 30,35 ± 6,82 years, with an average of 2,92 ± 2,06 years of experience working in the interventional radiology unit. As a result of the observations, it was found that steps such as the use of anticoagulant/antiplatelet medications and allergy history were frequently inquired about during the pre-procedural phase; however, certain items such as obtaining informed consent and assessing pregnancy status were not systematically questioned. During and after the procedure, most of the checklist items were either not confirmed or were verified only through documentation. Most of the nurses whose opinions were evaluated found the checklist effective for patient safety, and considered its content adequate and comprehensive; they also stated that it strengthened team communication and raised awareness. CONCLUSION: The developed checklist was evaluated as a feasible tool that supports patient and staff safety in interventional radiology, standardizes patient safety practices, and strengthens clinical processes. Keywords: Interventional radiology, patient safety, radiation safety, checklist, nursing