What is the purpose of the universal protocol in surgery?

The universal protocol in surgery is primarily designed to ensure patient safety by preventing wrong-site, wrong-procedure, and wrong-person surgeries. One of the key components of this protocol is the "time out" process, which occurs just before the procedure begins. During the time out, the surgical team gathers to confirm the patient’s identity, the procedure being performed, the surgical site, and the team members involved. This step is critical as it promotes communication among the team and serves as a final check to reduce the risk of errors that could severely impact patient outcomes.

While preoperative counseling, patient consent, and post-operative care are essential aspects of overall surgical care, they do not specifically address the prevention of errors related to the performance of the procedure itself in the way that the time out does. The time out is a deliberate pause, ensuring that every member of the surgical team is aligned and aware, promoting a culture of safety and diligence within the surgical environment.