Skip Navigation
The Collection >
Operating room briefings and wrong-site surgery. Classic icon
Makary MA, Mukherjee A, Sexton BJ, et al. J Am Coll Surg. 2007;204:236-243.

Although wrong-site surgeries are rare, they have devastating consequences for patients and are often a harbinger of serious safety problems within an institution. The Joint Commission's Universal Protocol for prevention of wrong-site surgeries requires performing a "time out" before beginning surgery to ensure that all operating room personnel are familiar with the patient, the procedure, their role, and how to respond to complications. In this study, operating room personnel were surveyed regarding their perception of the risk of wrong-site surgery before and after institution of timeouts. Respondents felt teamwork improved and the overall risk for wrong-site surgery decreased after implementing the protocol. An Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) WebM&M commentary discusses the factors contributing to a near-miss wrong-site surgery.

PubMed citation icon indicating hyperlink to external website
Available at icon indicating hyperlink to external website
white box
Related Resources
COMMENTARY
Surgical site verification: A through Z.
Dunn D. J Perianesth Nurs. 2006;21:317-328.
REVIEW
Spinal surgery and patient safety: a systems approach.
Wong DA. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2006;14:226-232.
View all related resources...
white box
Download: Adobe Reader   email icon Email
tan box
Find Related Resources by...
Resource Type   
 style=
Setting of Care  
 style=
Target Audience  
 style=
Clinical Area  
 style=
Safety Target  
 style=
Error Types  
 style=
Approach to Improving Safety  
 style=
Origin/Sponsor  
white box