Wrong-site surgery

Wrong site surgery refers to a serious medical error where a procedure is performed on the wrong part of a patient's body or, in rare cases, on the wrong patient entirely. This can happen due to miscommunication, lack of proper checks, or failure to follow established protocols. Such mistakes can lead to significant health complications, prolonged recovery, and emotional distress for both patients and healthcare providers. To prevent these incidents, hospitals implement safety protocols, including marking the surgical site and conducting time-outs before surgery to confirm the correct procedure and location.