Preventing Wrong-Site Surgery

Course overview

We have all seen the headlines and heard reports of errors in surgical procedures. These events are shocking and undermine confidence in the healthcare system. Wrong-site surgeries include incorrect site, wrong patient, and wrong procedure, and retained foreign bodies. Universal Protocol is a Joint Commission strategy for preventing wrong-site surgeries, along with monitoring adherence by accredited facilities. The safe surgery checklist initiative, by the World Health Organization, was established to provide an outline of necessary tasks to complete in each perioperative phase of care. Along with these, there are many other risk-prevention strategies and tools to help keep surgical patients safe from harm. The goal of this course is to equip nurses and CSTs with tools and other evidence-based practices for preventing wrong-site surgeries.