Updating the Surgical Preference List

Surgical procedure ‘preference lists’ are used worldwide, but their practice varies widely. Despite being positioned at a critical point in a surgical care pathway, they are often underemphasized, poorly maintained, and substandard. The following editorial material is gleaned from our experience in the set-up of a tertiary hospital on a green field site in Qatar. We comment on the use of preference lists, and contend that focus on standardizing and maintaining preference lists within an electronic record affords substantial opportunities for cost containment, whilst adding efficiency, safety, and value. We believe this approach represents an ‘easy win’ which would be applicable elsewhere.