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Marking Surgical Sites
Wrong-site surgery is a devastating problem that affects both the patient and surgeon. Healthcare experts are unanimous in their belief that these types of errors should never happen.
A wrong site surgery is a system problem that affects the entire surgical team. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons believes that a unified effort among surgeons, hospitals and other healthcare providers to initiate preoperative and other institutional regulations can effectively eliminate wrong-site surgery in the United States. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons endorses the establishment of a protocol where the operating surgeon has a discussion with the patient before anesthesia and his/her initials are placed on the operative site. In 1998, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons endorsed a program of preoperative surgical site identification called “Sign Your Site.” This action has been proven to be an effective method of prevention, which can be universally adopted as a policy in all operating rooms.
Similarly, institutional protocols should include these recommendations and involve operating room nurses and technicians, hospital operating room committees, anesthesiologists, residents and other preoperative allied health personnel.
With endorsement of the Governing Board and Medical Staff, HaysMedicalCenter implemented a “Surgical Site Identification” policy which requires the surgeon to verify the surgical site with the patient and mark the site. Prior to the surgical procedure being carried out, verbal confirmation of the site by the surgeon and surgical team is carried out. Surgical procedures involving laterality (two identical body parts on opposite sides) are not carried without this important step first taking place. For more information, please contact Bill Norris, RN, Perioperative Services Administrator at bill.norris@haysmed.com
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