What does Goal 4 address concerning surgical procedures?

Goal 4 focuses on the critical aspect of patient safety related to surgical procedures, specifically addressing the prevention of surgeries being performed on the wrong site, wrong procedure, or wrong patient. This goal is essential as it ensures that patients receive the correct treatment in the appropriate location, which is fundamental to a successful surgical outcome.

This goal involves implementing strict protocols and verification processes, such as the "time-out" procedure before the surgery begins, where the surgical team confirms the patient’s identity, the surgical site, and the planned procedure. By prioritizing these checks, healthcare facilities can significantly reduce the risk of sentinel events—serious incidents that can lead to harm, such as performing surgery on the wrong body part or patient.

While enhancing recovery times, reducing surgery cancellations, and improving post-operative pain management are important aspects of surgical care and patient outcomes, they do not directly address the crucial focus of ensuring that the right surgery is performed on the right patient at the right site, which is what Goal 4 specifically emphasizes.