Doctor devises new way to prevent wrong-site surgeries
Patient Safety Monitor Alert
November 7, 2007
The CheckSite system, developed by Richard Chole, MD, PhD, gives surgeons another way to prevent wrong-site surgeries, reports the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The system works by placing special wristbands with microchips embedded in them on a surgical patient. Sensors that correspond with the microchips are placed by the operating room doors. Once the appropriate time out is taken, a staff member simply places a sticker that deactivates the microchip. If that step is not taken, the an alarm will sound, reminding physicians to do the time out.The system, which is in place in six hospitals throughout the U.S., was originally conceived by Chole after attending a medical staff meeting about wrong-site surgeries. Chole says his goal is to have 150 hospitals using the CheckSite system by the end of next year.
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