Q. UP.01.03.01 EP 1 states, “The time-out is conducted prior to starting the procedure and, ideally, prior to the introduction of the anesthesia process (including general/regional anesthesia, local anesthesia, and spinal anesthesia), unless contraindicated.” What does the word “ideally” mean?
A. This statement was developed as a result of recognizing that wrong anesthesia procedures occur (e.g. wrong site regional anesthesia). Human factors literature would suggest that performing a time-out just prior to the incision or commencing the procedure is optimal. However, the reality is that this is not always possible due to logistical constraints related to the procedure or patients’ needs, as well as the concerns regarding wrong anesthesia procedures. Each organization defines under which situations the time-out is required to be performed prior to anesthesia or when it is preferable to do so immediately prior to the procedure/incision; or when flexibility may be considered while still focusing on the prevention of wrong-site or wrong-procedure surgery.