Q. What if the patient refuses site marking?
A. The patient always has the right to refuse. This situation should be handled the same way as for any other refusal by a patient offered care, treatment or services. The organization's responsibility is to provide the patient with information to understand why site marking is appropriate and desirable, and the implications of refusing the site marking. Then the patient can make an informed decision. The Universal Protocol does not require that the procedure be cancelled because the patient refuses site marking. Organization policy should describe the related procedural and documentation requirements.