2 Surgical Safety and Verification Free Online FlashCards

What are the three core elements of the Universal Protocol?

The Joint Commission’s Universal Protocol centers on preprocedure verification, site marking, and a final time-out.

What is a safe way to verify a patient’s identity?

Ask the patient to state identifying information when possible, then compare approved identifiers with the identification band and relevant records.

What information should be reconciled to verify the planned procedure and site?

Reconcile the schedule, consent, the patient’s account when available, clinical documentation, and relevant images or test results.

What should the team do when procedure information conflicts?

Pause and resolve the discrepancy with the responsible clinicians before proceeding; do not rely on one conflicting source.

When is site marking indicated?

Mark the correct site before the procedure when more than one location is possible and operating at the wrong location could harm the patient.

When does the final time-out occur, and what does it confirm?

Immediately before incision or the invasive procedure, the active team pauses and verbally confirms the correct patient, procedure, and site.

What is required before a second procedure performed by a different practitioner?

Conduct another time-out before starting the second procedure when a different practitioner will perform it.

How should the team verify a patient who cannot confirm identity or procedure?

Use the organization’s process to verify identity and procedure with available authoritative records and team communication; inability to answer does not remove the need for verification.

When does the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist sign-in occur?

The WHO Surgical Safety Checklist includes a sign-in before anesthesia.

Why can’t a room or bed number identify a patient?

A room or bed number is not a patient identifier and must not be used to establish identity.

How should the team handle site marking when the patient cannot participate or marking is unsuitable?

Involve the patient when possible and follow the organization’s approved alternative process if marking is not possible or appropriate.

Does silence during a time-out count as confirmation?

Team members must participate actively; silence is not confirmation.