Page 68 - 2022 Risk Basics - Surgical Practice

SVMIC Risk Basics: Surgical Practice

or where the treatment or medication must be monitored

closely.

In order to ensure proper follow-up for patients who require a
return office visit, schedule such patients before they leave the

office or the hospital and provide a reminder card with date
and time.

Remember, tracking is only half of the equation. Appropriate

patient communication and documentation is necessary for
prevention of patient harm. If using an EHR, review and correct

all documentation that may have auto-populated or been

carried over from a previous visit to ensure it is an accurate
reflection of the current office visit assessment.

When it comes to ensuring safe surgery together, it takes a

team of perioperative professionals who are vigilant, willing to
speak up, and recognize the value of safety tools such as the

timeout to keep deadly errors from harming patients.

Use the universal protocol designed to prevent wrong-
patient/site/procedure surgeries by marking the surgical site

appropriately with the patient/representative prior to surgery.

Use a timeout to review relevant aspects of the procedure with
the surgical team and to ensure verification and reconciliation

of patient information prior to starting the operation or

procedure. Have all available images and documents on hand
in the OR.

Document all telephone communication with patients and with

other providers, including evening and weekend phone calls.

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