Safety

Involve patient in identifying site of surgery

Ambulatory Safety Monitor, June 1, 2006

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To accurately identify the surgical site and procedure, involve the patient in the process. It is most appropriate to do this before the patient is under the influence of any drugs (e.g., sedatives or anesthetics).

Most organizations document that the patient has given a verbal response. However, some organizations have the patient physically touch, point to, or mark the site of the surgery and document it accordingly. In some cases, such as some dental procedures, the patient may only be able to verbalize a general area of discomfort.



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