Incorrect Surgical Procedure - Essay Example

"Incorrect Surgical Procedure" is an outstanding example of a paper on surgery and rehabilitation. The incorrect surgical procedure is a common problem that distresses both the patient and the surgeon. It is caused by poor preoperative planning, poor institutional controls, surgeons failing to practice due care, and poor communication between the patient and the surgeon. Incorrect surgical procedures are caused by two main factors including inadequate formal systems to verify the surgery procedure and consistent breakdown of systems applicable when verifying the surgery procedure. In addition, the problem can occur when surgeons fail to conduct final checks in the operating theatre; furthermore, the theatre staff may not participate in the surgical procedure and may lack a checklist as they conduct the surgical procedures (Romans, 2010).

There are different effective methods put in place to address incorrect surgical procedures such as ensuring that the surgeons conducting the surgery put the patient’s initial on the operative site using a permanent marking pen. However, hospitals should include varied recommendations in their protocols to ensure that the preventive measure is applicable (Romans, 2010). They should also educate people including the operating nurses, technicians, anesthesiologists, residents, and other relevant groups about the implemented protocol. Consequently, the surgeons should ensure that they confirm the identity of the patient, the involved procedure, and the surgical site before the patient enters the theatre.

In order for surgeons to prevent incorrect surgical procedures, they should ensure that the surgeon in consultation with the patient places the patient’s initials on the operative site in a manner that the surgeon cannot overlook.  In case the surgeon overlooks it, it turns out to be wrong when transferred to another patient. The surgeon should mark the operation’s intended site and ensure that the mark is visible after the prepping and draping of the patient. The surgeons should also ensure that they have the patient’s records in the operation room (Romans, 2010). However, after the patient moves into the operating room, the surgical team should take time to discuss the patient and the involved procedures. This should include the confirmation of the patient’s identity, ensuring the correct involved procedure, confirming the operative site, and choosing the involved equipment and devices. The surgeon should address the patient’s missing information before starting the surgery procedure. Finally, all the surgery team members should actively participate in the time out a communication to raise the questions and concerns relevant in the surgery procedure (Romans, 2010).

The discussed steps that address incorrect surgical procedures are similar to the processes at my agency that deal with the issue. This is because the agency came up with a leadership campaign in the diverse outlets to avoid incorrect surgical procedures. The agency has a checklist that allows surgeons to identify every important step in the surgical procedure (McKellar, 2003). The agency also ensures that it reduces miscommunication during hand-offs. The hospital has rules to ensure that before one nurse takes over from another one, they go through the checklist for the nurse in charge not to assume that something had been done. In addition, the hospital ensures that it involves the patient in marking the site to avoid confusion (McKellar, 2003). Finally, the hospital should ensure that it involves every team member in the procedure for them to give their testimonials and experiences that can be relevant when avoiding incorrect surgical procedures.

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