Q. Who should mark the site?
A. The Protocol clearly states the site marking is performed by the licensed independent practitioner or other provider who is privileged or permitted by the organization to perform the intended surgical or non-surgical invasive procedure. These providers must be involved directly in the procedure and will be present during the procedure. The word “should” has been eliminated from the Universal Protocol, but the intent of the requirement has not changed. The language has become more definitive in 2009 in an effort to reinforce the current interpretation which is that the person privileged/permitted to perform the procedure and who will be actively involved in and present during the procedure performs the site marking.