What procedure is performed before any invasive or surgical procedure?

The Time Out procedure is a critical safety practice that occurs immediately before any invasive or surgical procedure. It serves as a final verification step to ensure that the surgical team is completely aligned regarding the patient's identity, the exact site of the procedure, and the planned operation. During the Time Out, the team pauses to confirm essential details, reducing the risk of errors, such as wrong-site or wrong-procedure surgeries.

This structured pause involves the participation of all members of the surgical team, reinforcing communication and collaboration to promote patient safety. The Time Out is a key component of protocols established to enhance the safety culture in healthcare settings, as it ensures that everyone is attentive and ready to proceed with full awareness of the task ahead.

While other options such as pre-operative briefing, consent verification, and patient assessment are important aspects of the surgical process, they occur at different stages. For instance, consent verification is essential for confirming that the patient fully understands the procedure and has agreed to it, but it precedes the Time Out. Pre-operative briefing typically happens in the preparation phase, and patient assessment is crucial for evaluating overall health and risk factors before surgery, but the Time Out is the final affirmation step that directly precedes the start of the procedure itself.