Auckland City Hospital is piloting a World Health Organisation scheme to try to reduce deaths and complications from surgery.
A checklist which includes identifying the correct body site to be operated on, and the correct anaesthetic and infection prevention controls, is being used by eight hospitals around the world.
It is hoped the checklist will help surgical staff reduce mistakes.
Statistics will be collated from Auckland City Hospital, and from other hospitals in North America, Britain, Tanzania, the Philippines and India, before more widespread implementation of the initiative.
