Time Out!

What do you think of when you hear "Time Out!" Traditionally, we think of some athletic event during which one team calls for a temporary halt to the game.

In Healthcare Safety in a hospital, that is monitored by The Joint Commision as one measure to ensure patient safety, the term, "Time Out", carries a totally different connotation. "Time Out" refers to The Joint Commission's mandate to verify the correct patient , correct procedeure, and correct site before starting any operative or invasive procedure.

Wrong site, wrong procedure, and wrong patient surgery and procedure should never occur. Hospitals go to extremes to ensure patient safety. If you hear the call for "Time Out" as you are going under anesthesia for some procedure, give thanks that your hospital is concerned for your safety. Every hospital may not be; don't be embarrassed to ask.