Patient Safety, Surgical Time Out

Patient safety is first and foremost in our OR. The Joint Commission defines the Surgical Timeout as an immediate pause by the entire surgical team to confirm the correct patient, procedure, and correct operative site. While initially viewed as a safety measure to prevent harm as a result of operating on the wrong patient or the wrong site/type or wrong surgical procedure all together - the Surgical Timeout has evolved to include quality patient care and enhanced performance of the surgical team.

When practiced in a methodical manner & with engagement of all members of the operating team led by the senior surgeon, checklists are extremely effective in providing a safe surgery for the operative patient.