The Universal Protocol for Preventing Wrong Site, Wrong Procedure and Wrong Person Surgery became effective July 1, 2004 for all accredited hospitals, ambulatory care and office-based surgery facilities. The Universal Protocol was created to address the continuing problem of wrong site, wrong procedure and wrong person surgery in American hospitals. The Universal Protocol drew upon recommendations that had been made by authoritative commentators for years but which had not been universally adopted or followed by American hospitals. There are three principal components of the Universal Protocol: conducting a pre-procedure verification process, marking the procedure site, and performing a time-out before the procedure.
Update
In 2009, The Joint Commission conducted a field review on the Universal Protocol and, based on that feedback, the Universal Protocol was revised. For the remainder of 2009, during the on-site survey, surveyors will not evaluate compliance with certain requirements that were eliminated or substantially modified. Other changes will be effective January 1, 2010. The intent of the revisions is to address patient safety issues while allowing organizations flexibility in applying the requirements within existing work processes, given the diversity of organizations that need to follow the Universal Protocol. The changes stem from concerns that The Joint Commission received from accredited and professional organizations related to the practical implications of complying with modifications made to the Universal Protocol that became effective January 1, 2009. The concerns focused primarily on the specificity of the requirements.
The Erie medical malpractice lawyers at Purchase, George & Murphey, P.C., P.C. have experience with cases involving wrong site surgery. These cases often result in serious and disabling injuries that require extensive medical care. They may also present unusual allocation of fault issues. Our primary goal and objective is to make sure our clients and their families receive the compensation and resources they need to treat and manage their medical malpractice injury and to compensate them for their losses.
As skilled Erie injury lawyers who have helped clients injured by medical mistakes, we understand how to evaluate these cases and help you obtain the funds necessary to compensate you for your harms and losses.
Call Purchase, George & Murphey, P.C. today, toll free 814-273-2010 to schedule your free and confidential consultation with an Erie Medical Malpractice Lawyer.
We will fight for your legal rights to the money and resources you need to fix what can be fixed, help what can be helped and make up for what cannot be fixed or helped.