Ideas That Work: Confirm the Correct Side of Surgery

Surgeons at Houston Premier Surgery Center in The Villages sign surgical sites in pre-op and huddle with the surgical team in the OR to make sure they signed the correct spot. It’s often a straightforward process, but orthopedic and spine cases add a degree of difficulty when teams need to confirm laterality before cutting. “During time outs before these procedures, surgeons stand on the side of the patient where the surgery should take place,” says Celia Smith, the center’s administrator. “It’s a visual cue the surgical team uses during a multilayered process to ensure correct-site surgery.” OSM