Which three protocols does the Joint Commission implement to prevent wrong-site surgery?

The Joint Commission emphasizes specific protocols to ensure the prevention of wrong-site surgery, focusing on enhancing patient safety through thorough checks before a procedure. The correct protocols include pre-procedure verification, site marking, and time out.

Pre-procedure verification is a critical step that involves confirming the patient's identity, the planned procedure, and the site of the surgery before it begins. This helps to ensure that all team members are aligned on what is to be done and where.

Site marking is another essential protocol where a designated area on the patient's body is clearly marked to indicate the exact surgical site. This visual cue serves as a tangible confirmation for the surgical team, helping to avoid any ambiguity about the correct location during surgery.

Time out is a collaborative pause taken before commencing the procedure. During this time, the surgical team collectively verifies the patient’s identity, the procedure being performed, and the surgical site while ensuring that all necessary equipment is available and correctly prepared.

These three protocols work synergistically to minimize the risk of errors related to wrong-site surgery, thus ensuring patient safety and enhancing the overall quality of care in the operating room. Other options may include elements that are important to patient safety but do not specifically align with the Joint Commission’s mandated protocols for preventing wrong-site surgery.