September 2007, Volume 3, Issue 9 - Performance of Correct Procedure at Correct Body Site

Dear Colleagues, 

As simple as the concept of caregivers treating the correct patient in the correct manner may appear, data submitted to the United States–based Joint Commission show that, of the 4,234 sentinel events (read more here) reported since 1995, 13 percent of them were related to wrong person, wrong site, wrong procedure surgery—the most of any reported event. (Read the most recent statistics here.) These data show that, more than ever, properly identifying patients and their treatments is a critical component of the health care process.

Our series of theme issues on the World Alliance for Patient Safety’s nine Patient Safety Solutions (read more here) continues this month with solutions and resources regarding Solution Four, “Performance of Correct Procedure at Correct Body Site” (read the entire solution here).

Our first article, “A Follow-up Review of Wrong-site Surgery,” presents some excellent facts, figures, and resources on correct-site surgery. Also included is background material on the Universal Protocol for Preventing Wrong Site, Wrong Procedure, Wrong Person Surgery^TM, a course of action calling for a pause or “time out” before all surgical and other procedures to ensure that the correct patient, body site, and procedure is in place. “Frequently Asked Questions about the Universal Protocol for Preventing Wrong Site, Wrong Procedure, Wrong Person Surgery®” provides further dialogue on correct body site procedure issues and solutions. “Promoting Physician Engagement” relates one organization’s experience with promoting collaboration of physician, nurses, and staff and how that effort can create an safer and more efficient health care environment. In our monthly book excerpt, we present a portion of Chapter Two of Compliance Strategies for the Universal Protocol, in which systems and strategies supporting compliance are discussed.

Does your organization have recent positive experiences with Performance of Correct Procedure at Correct Body Site that you would like to share? Let us know about your success! Send an email by selecting this link: http://www.jcipatientsafety.org/24725/.