Site Marking--cysto with stent

We have "temporary site marking bands." Basically, it's a temporary wristband with a place for a pt sticker, R L Bil N/A to be circled, date, and surgeon initials. Doesn't matter where it goes as long as it can be seen when doing the time out. We use them for any surgery involving an orifice (ENT, uro, rectal) or if a pt is combative and will not allow the surgeon to initial the site. It is also to be cut off before the pt leaves the OR.

We have our surgeons initial the side where the stent will be placed, usually on the abdomen. The wristband sounds like a good idea. I'll have to suggest it.

Beth

They sign the side of the abdomen where the stent will be here too. I agree the wristband is a great idea...

We have to many wristbands: pink for no BP's on one side, green for latex allergy, yellow for fall precautions, red for allergies...etc.... Our surgeons mark the back of the hand on the appropriate side and when performing the time out, I stand on that side and point to the hand because the body is usually covered up.

A couple of years ago, our pt's arms looked like a rainbow!!! We, as others, had red, blue, yellow, green etc, etc bands for different types of warnings.
It was a disaster if we had to cut them off to start an IV!!!
We went to colored dots, attached to one single white ID band.

As far as marking....we kept the blue fall precautions bands...the only blue band used in our hosptial.
It has a big white area that we mark (or use an ID sticker) the name, site, etc on it.
The surgeon marks it and actually applies it to the pt's wrist on the operative side for cysto/stent, ESWL's and the like.

It stays with the NPSG's, marking the side, etc and best of all, as the goals indicate, we can see it after draping the pt.

Thus far, it's worked with us, and have had no problems.

Mike