Promoting correct site surgery: a national approach.

Surgical procedures undertaken at the wrong site represent a potentially devastating event for everyone involved. Wrong site surgery is defined as surgery performed at the incorrect anatomical site--either the wrong side (left leg instead of right) or the incorrect anatomical location or level (incorrect finger on the correct hand). The National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) and the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS) last year issued a joint alert (NPSA 2005a) to promote correct site surgery. This aims to clarify the steps required and ensure that the intended and correct surgical procedure is performed on the correct patient at the correct site.