Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website.
Skip to main content
Multi-use Website
Classic

Universal Protocol for Preventing Wrong Site, Wrong Procedure, Wrong Person Surgery.

Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.

Save
Print
April 26, 2006
Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.

According to an AHRQ-supported study, wrong-site surgery occurred at a rate of approximately 1 per 113,000 operations between 1985 and 2004. In July 2004, The Joint Commission enacted a Universal Protocol that was developed through expert consensus on principles and steps for preventing wrong-site, wrong-procedure, and wrong-person surgery. The Universal Protocol applies to all accredited hospitals, ambulatory care, and office-based surgery facilities. The protocol requires performing a time out prior to beginning surgery, a practice that has been shown to improve teamwork and decrease the overall risk of wrong-site surgery. This Web site includes a number of resources and facts related to the Universal Protocol. Wrong-site, wrong-procedure, and wrong-patient errors are all now considered never events by the National Quality Forum and sentinel events by The Joint Commission. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have not reimbursed for any costs associated with these surgical errors since 2009.

Save
Print
Cite
Citation

Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.

Related Resources From the Same Author(s)
Related Resources