Avoiding Wrong-Site Surgery During Spinal Procedures
Avoiding Wrong-Site Surgery During Spinal Procedures
Wrong-site surgery (WSS) is a rare occurrence that can have devastating consequences for patient care. There are several factors inherent to spine surgery that increase the risk of WSS compared with other types of surgery. Not only can a surgeon potentially operate on the wrong side of the spine or the wrong level, but there are unique issues related to spinal localization that can be challenging for even the most experienced clinicians. The following review discusses important issues that can help prevent WSS during spinal procedures.
Wrong-site surgery is a rare occurrence that can have devastating consequences for patient care. In a survey of members of the American Academy of Neurological Surgeons performed by Mody et al., 50% of responding surgeons reported that they had performed at least 1 wrong-level surgery during their career. Of 418 wrong-level surgeries, 17% resulted in litigation or monetary settlement. The WSS can take many forms, including surgical intervention at the incorrect location, performing the wrong procedure on a patient, or operating on the wrong patient altogether. Although the incidence of WSS is likely to be extremely low, a zero-tolerance policy should be promoted by health care institutions to ensure that all possible precautions are instituted to prevent such an occurrence. Vigilance against WSS should be particularly high for spine surgeons, because there are several factors inherent to spine surgery that increase the risk of WSS compared with other types of surgery. Not only can a surgeon potentially operate on the wrong side of the spine or the wrong level, but there are unique issues related to spinal localization that can be challenging for even the most experienced clinicians. The following review discusses important issues that can help prevent WSS during spinal procedures.
Abstract and Introduction
Abstract
Wrong-site surgery (WSS) is a rare occurrence that can have devastating consequences for patient care. There are several factors inherent to spine surgery that increase the risk of WSS compared with other types of surgery. Not only can a surgeon potentially operate on the wrong side of the spine or the wrong level, but there are unique issues related to spinal localization that can be challenging for even the most experienced clinicians. The following review discusses important issues that can help prevent WSS during spinal procedures.
Introduction
Wrong-site surgery is a rare occurrence that can have devastating consequences for patient care. In a survey of members of the American Academy of Neurological Surgeons performed by Mody et al., 50% of responding surgeons reported that they had performed at least 1 wrong-level surgery during their career. Of 418 wrong-level surgeries, 17% resulted in litigation or monetary settlement. The WSS can take many forms, including surgical intervention at the incorrect location, performing the wrong procedure on a patient, or operating on the wrong patient altogether. Although the incidence of WSS is likely to be extremely low, a zero-tolerance policy should be promoted by health care institutions to ensure that all possible precautions are instituted to prevent such an occurrence. Vigilance against WSS should be particularly high for spine surgeons, because there are several factors inherent to spine surgery that increase the risk of WSS compared with other types of surgery. Not only can a surgeon potentially operate on the wrong side of the spine or the wrong level, but there are unique issues related to spinal localization that can be challenging for even the most experienced clinicians. The following review discusses important issues that can help prevent WSS during spinal procedures.
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