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O U T P AT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 4
F
or most surgeons, wrong-site surgery is an abstraction —
something that could happen, but hasn't, at least not to
them. Unscathed by misfortune, they walk between rain-
drops, insulated from the deep regret such a slip-up can
cause.
David Ring, MD, isn't as lucky. It's been more than 5 years since an
unlikely series of events led him to perform a carpal tunnel release
on a Spanish-speaking patient who'd been admitted for a trigger-fin-
P R E - O P S A F E T Y
Zero Tolerance
For Never Events
NO MISTAKING One of the best ways to prevent wrong-site surgeries is to have surgeons cut through the word yes or their initials.
Can we get to zero? Yes, experts say it can be done.
Jim Burger | Associate Editor
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