OSCE checklist

A universal station checklist

1. Prepare. Read the task twice. Note your role, the setting and the time.
2. Hand hygiene and safety. Check the area is safe for you and the patient.
3. Introduce. Give your name and role, and say what you plan to do.
4. Check identity. Confirm who the patient is with two identifiers, and ask about allergies where relevant.
5. Gain consent. Explain in plain words, and check the patient agrees.
6. Do the task in order. Say what you are doing as you do it.
7. Escalate if unsafe. Know when to call for help and how to hand over.
8. Close. Check understanding, answer questions and leave the patient comfortable.
9. Document. Record clearly, with date, time and signature where required.

OSCE checklist for vital signs

1. Wash or gel your hands, and check the equipment works.
2. Introduce yourself, confirm identity, explain and gain consent.
3. Ask about pain, recent activity and anything the patient has noticed.
4. Measure respiratory rate before you tell the patient you are doing it.
5. Measure oxygen saturation, pulse, blood pressure, temperature and level of consciousness.
6. Record each value on the chart and total the early warning score if your chart uses one.
7. Say what the result means and whether to repeat it, escalate or continue routine checks.
8. Leave the patient comfortable and clean the equipment.

In the UK the early warning score on most charts is NEWS2, from the Royal College of Physicians. Other countries use their own scores, so use the one in your exam's local conventions.

Use it, do not memorise it

Exam bodies publish their own marking guidance, and some say plainly not to learn it by heart. Use this list as a frame for your own practice. Then try it on a station from our stations library, or see OSCE tips for how to put it to use.

Common questions

Is this an official OSCE checklist?

No. It is our own list for practice. Each exam body has its own marking criteria, which can differ.

What is on an OSCE checklist for vital signs?

Hand hygiene, introduction, identity, consent, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, pulse, blood pressure, temperature, consciousness, recording and escalation.

Should I memorise an OSCE checklist?

Use it to build a routine, then practise out loud. Memorising lines without understanding them does not help under pressure.