For example, the surgeon will review the surgical plan with the nurse, and make sure all is ready, including any devices or implants, or special considerations. Review of Surgical, Nursing and Anesthesia Plansĭuring Time-Out, each member of your surgical team will review with the others his or her respective plan for your procedure.

Your surgeon, anesthesiologist, and nurse will review your surgical consent together one final time to make sure that everything is correct. To improve communication during your surgery, all the members of your surgical team will introduce themselves to each other by name and role. During this time, the team will be very quiet and attentive to make sure that everything is correct. When you are in the operating room, your surgical team will use the Time-Out checklist to share important information about you and your upcoming surgery. Your surgical team will confirm with you that you have completed specific blood tests, or in some cases, pre-donated blood, in the event a blood transfusion is needed. Tell your anesthesiologist if you or a member of your family has had an adverse reaction to anesthesia during previous surgeries. Your anesthesiologist will ask you several important questions to help them prepare you for anesthesia. You will be asked to confirm all of your allergies to medications. You will be asked to verify that the incision site previously marked by your surgeon is correct. You will be asked to verify that everything you said is the same information that is on the surgical consent form. Your surgical team will ask you to confirm everything about your planned surgery, including the incision site and the type of surgery planned. Planned Surgical Site, Procedure and Surgical Consent Confirming Your Identityĭuring Sign-In, the nurse or anesthesiologist will ask your name to ensure that it matches your medical record and the consent form you signed for surgery.

As your team goes through each step on the list, do not hesitate to speak up if you think there has been an error or if you would like clarification. Your surgical team will review the Sign-In checklist before you go into the operating room.

Safety checklist