Makindo Medical Notes

Before any procedure, there are several critical questions that must be addressed to ensure patient safety and procedural success.

Key Precautions

• Staff Competence: Only competent staff should perform the procedure. If the person performing the procedure is in training, they must be supervised by experienced staff to ensure safety and accuracy.
• Patient Identification: Correctly identifying the patient is essential to ensure that the right procedure is performed on the right individual. Always verify the patient’s identity using multiple identifiers (e.g., full name, date of birth, medical record number), and never rely solely on information provided by others. Patients with similar names can lead to errors, so meticulous verification is critical.
• Procedure Verification: Confirm that the correct procedure is being performed. Cross-check the patient’s notes, consent form, and medical records to ensure that the procedure matches what has been documented and consented to.
• Correct Side Confirmation: When applicable, confirm whether the procedure should be performed on the right or left side of the body. Double-check the site and ensure it has been marked correctly if necessary to avoid wrong-site surgery.
• Anticoagulation Status: Check whether the patient is on anticoagulant therapy (e.g., Warfarin, Heparin, or newer oral anticoagulants). Even minor procedures such as biopsies can result in significant complications if the patient is anticoagulated. Ensure the patient’s clotting status is appropriate for the procedure.
• Timing of the Procedure: Assess whether the timing of the procedure is appropriate. Non-urgent procedures (e.g., chest drains or paracentesis) should be scheduled during regular hours when more staff and resources are available to manage potential complications. Avoid conducting non-urgent procedures late at night unless absolutely necessary.
• Informed Consent: Ensure the patient has provided informed consent. This means the patient has been fully informed of the risks, benefits, alternatives, and potential complications of the procedure, and has agreed to proceed. Proper documentation of this consent is essential.