Joint Commission Steps Up Efforts to Reduce Wrong-Site Surgery

The following are commonly identified errors from the Joint Commission – and their solutions:

• Error: Schedulers accept verbal requests for surgery information.

Solution: Use a single fax number for scheduling.

• Error: Someone other than the surgeon marks the site.

Solution: The surgeon marks the site in the preop area.

• Error: Time-outs don’t occur if there are multiple surgeons.

Solution: Complete separate time-outs for each new surgeon.

• Error: Staff isn’t empowered to ask questions.

Solution: Share data and let the team ask questions.

• Error: Staff rushes during patient verification.

Solution: Explain why standardized processes are important.

• Error: The briefing process is ineffective.

Solution: Do a preop briefing in the OR with the patient.

• Error: Staff is distracted during the time-out.

Solution: Perform a standardized time-out and stop all other activities.

For a full list of the 29 main causes of wrong-site surgery, go to the Joint Commission Center for Transforming Healthcare website.