Surgical Site Marking & Time-Out Checklist
FREE surgical site marking and time-out checklist with Joint Commission Universal Protocol compliance. Covers patient identification, site marking, pre-procedure verification, and team time-out. Multi-market standards for US Joint Commission, UK NHS/CQC, India NABH, Brazil ANVISA, Mexico SSA, and Colombia regulations. Download FREE PDF with 40+ safety points.
- Industry: Healthcare
- Frequency: Each Procedure
- Estimated Time: 5-10 minutes
- Role: Operations Manager
- Total Items: 34
- Compliance: Joint Commission Universal Protocol, WHO Surgical Safety Checklist, CMS CoP Surgical Services, UK NHS Never Events, UK CQC Standards
Pre-Procedure Verification
Verification before patient enters OR.
- Patient identity verified (2 identifiers)?
- Informed consent signed and complete?
- History and physical documented?
- Required labs/studies reviewed?
- Allergies verified and documented?
- Required imaging available in OR?
Site Marking
Surgical site marking per protocol.
- Operative site marked by surgeon?
- Site marking visible after prep/drape?
- Patient participated in marking (if able)?
- Marking unambiguous (no X marks)?
- Consent matches marked site?
Sign-In (Before Anesthesia)
Team verification before anesthesia induction.
- Patient identity confirmed (again)?
- Site and side confirmed?
- Procedure confirmed?
- Anesthesia safety check completed?
- Pulse oximeter on and functioning?
- Known allergies announced?
- Difficult airway or aspiration risk addressed?
Time-Out (Before Incision)
Final verification with entire team.
- Time-out formally called/announced?
- All team members present and attentive?
- Patient name stated aloud?
- Procedure stated aloud?
- Site and side stated aloud?
- Patient positioning correct?
- Prophylactic antibiotics given (within 60 min)?
- VTE prophylaxis addressed?
- Any critical concerns raised by team?
Infection Prevention & Control
Infection control per CDC/Joint Commission
- Hand hygiene compliance observed?
- Isolation precautions followed correctly?
- Sharps containers not overfilled?
- Appropriate PPE available and used?
Patient Safety Verification
Patient identification and safety protocols
- Two-patient-identifier protocol followed?
- Fall risk assessment completed?
- Bed in low position with rails up?
Related Healthcare Checklists
- Patient Restraint Assessment & Monitoring Checklist
- Healthcare Infection Control Audit Checklist
- Patient Discharge Planning Checklist
- Patient Transport Checklist
- Blood Transfusion Safety Checklist
- Healthcare Emergency Response Drill Checklist
- Clinical Laboratory Safety Inspection Checklist
- Surgical Instrument Sterility
Related Patient Safety Checklists
- Patient Fall Prevention Assessment Checklist - FREE Download
- Patient Restraint Assessment & Monitoring Checklist - FREE Download
- Healthcare Infection Control Audit Checklist - FREE Download
- Patient Discharge Planning Checklist - FREE Download
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- Patient Identification Audit - FREE Download
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Why Use This Surgical Site Marking & Time-Out Checklist?
This surgical site marking & time-out checklist helps healthcare teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for operations manager professionals, this checklist covers 34 critical inspection points across 6 sections. Recommended frequency: each procedure.
Ensures compliance with Joint Commission Universal Protocol, WHO Surgical Safety Checklist, CMS CoP Surgical Services, UK NHS Never Events, UK CQC Standards, India NABH Pre-Operative, Brazil ANVISA RDC 36, Mexico NOM-026-SSA3, Colombia Resolución 2003/2014. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Surgical Site Marking & Time-Out Checklist cover?
This checklist covers 34 inspection items across 6 sections: Pre-Procedure Verification, Site Marking, Sign-In (Before Anesthesia), Time-Out (Before Incision), Infection Prevention & Control, Patient Safety Verification. It is designed for healthcare operations and compliance.
How often should this checklist be completed?
This checklist should be completed each procedure. Each completion takes approximately 5-10 minutes.
Who should use this Surgical Site Marking & Time-Out Checklist?
This checklist is designed for Operations Manager professionals in the healthcare industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.
Can I download this checklist as a PDF?
Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.