Cynthia A Robinson

US Patent:

8485827, Jul 16, 2013

Filed:

May 21, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/784562

Inventors:

Cynthia Robinson - Goodyear AZ, US

International Classification:

G09B 23/28

US Classification:

434262, 434267

Abstract:

A system for preventing surgical site errors includes a ferromagnetic, dry-erase whiteboard having a pair of anatomical figures imprinted thereon. Adjacent to the anatomical figures is a text space for writing a description of a planned surgical procedure. The system further includes a plurality of color-coded magnets for securing to representative locations on the anatomical figures. Each magnet has a specific color according to the area of the body requiring surgery. A medical worker places a color-coded magnet on one of the whiteboard anatomical figures at a location corresponding to the planned surgical site. The worker writes a description of the surgical procedure on the text space using a colored marker(s) that matches the magnet color(s) and then covers the patient with an identically-colored surgical drape. A surgeon first examines the whiteboard to identify the magnet location and color, then examines the written description and color and finally examines the drape color. If all colors agree and correlate with the written description, surgery may safely begin; otherwise, the surgeon is alerted to investigate the discrepancy.