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Preparing for Surgery
Safety in the Operating Room
At ChristianaCare, we are committed to a safe environment.
Your Safety is Our Responsibility
| Timing | What We Do | What You Do |
|---|---|---|
| Before your surgery | Informed consent form: This is the document you sign which says the name of the procedure you will have done. | Read the form carefully. Make sure the name of the surgery and surgeon are listed correctly. |
| Double checking: Different members of the team will ask you the same questions many times. We will ask you to verify your name, date of birth, allergies, the kind of procedure you are having and the place on your body where surgery will be done. | Answer the questions every time. This is an important safety check. Speak up if anything does not seem right. | |
| Marking your surgery site: The surgeon may mark his or her initials on the surgery site as verification the procedure is to be performed on that site. These areas include levels of the spine or any surgery on the right or left side of the body. | If this applies to you, make sure the correct site or side is marked before going into the operating room. Don’t hesitate to ask any questions. | |
| In the operating room | Safety checklist (part 1): Before you receive anesthesia, the surgery team will pause and review a few items. The team will review your name, date of birth, allergies, the procedure to be done, the surgical site, the surgeon and a few additional items. | Listen carefully to what is being said and speak up if anything does not seem right. |
| Safety checklist (part 2): Just before surgery begins, the entire surgery team pauses and the surgeon reviews with the team your name, the procedure to be done, the surgical site and other details he or she would like to share with other team members. | Depending on the procedure and type of anesthesia you are having, you may be awake for this part of the safety checklist. If you are awake, listen carefully and speak up if anything does not seem right. |
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