Q. Our pre-procedure area is not physically near the procedure area and is staffed by a peri-operative/recovery room team. The team preparing the patient in the pre-procedure area would not know what blood products, implants, devices or special equipment is needed in the procedure room. What are the expectations? Can this piece be verified in the procedure room rather than the pre-procedural area and still be compliant with the requirement?
A. The intent of the requirement is to verify all required elements are ready prior to moving the patient into the operating or procedure room. While considering this intent, it is recognized that verification of all the items required in UP.01.01.01 EP 1 may create some logistical challenges, and may require new processes to be developed. If staff in the pre-procedure area do not have access to the needed elements in the procedure area, the organization would be expected to implement a process of communication between the two areas ensuring the required elements are available and ready for use. In those unusual circumstances when this verification cannot be performed during the pre-op verification process, the confirmation may be done at the “time-out”. Please note that this approach should be based upon analysis of individual circumstances, and should not be routine practice.