The hospital performs a time-out before the procedure.

(1)

The hospital conducts a time-out immediately before starting the invasive procedure or making the incision.

(2)

The time-out has the following characteristics: - It is standardized, as defined by the hospital. - It is initiated by a designated member of the team. - It involves the immediate members of the procedure team, including the individual performing the procedure, the anesthesia providers, the circulating nurse, the operating room technician, and other active participants who will be participating in the procedure from the beginning.

(3)

When two or more procedures are being performed on the same patient, and the person performing the procedure changes, the hospital performs a time-out before each procedure is initiated.

(4)

During the time-out, the team members agree, at a minimum, on the following: - Correct patient identity - Correct site - Procedure to be done

(5)

The hospital documents the completion of the time-out. Note: The hospital determines the amount and type of documentation.