Universal protocol for preventing wrong site, wrong procedure, wrong person surgery.

T p EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2004, compliance with the Universal Protocol for Preventing Wrong Site, Wrong Procedure, Wrong Person Surgery became required of all Joint Commission accredited organizations, to the extent that the requirements are relevant to the services provided by the organization. As of July 1, it became mandatory for all members of the surgical team in accredited organizations to call a formal “time out” before starting the surgical procedure. The Universal Protocol for Preventing Wrong Site, Wrong Procedure, Wrong Person Surgery is designed to ensure that all personnel focus only on the patient just before the beginning of surgery to ensure that everyone agrees they are performing the right procedure on the right patient on the right site of the patient’s body.