During a time-out, which of the following must team members agree on at a minimum?

In the context of a time-out, which is a critical safety protocol in medical settings to prevent errors, the primary focus is on confirming the correct site for a procedure. This step is essential because operating on the wrong site can lead to serious complications and is a significant patient safety concern. Ensuring that all team members agree on the correct site helps to minimize the risk of errors and enhances patient safety.

While confirming the correct patient identity, the procedure to be done, and the time of the procedure are also important aspects of patient safety, the correct site is often prioritized in time-out protocols. This emphasis arises from numerous reports and studies highlighting the devastating consequences associated with wrong-site surgeries. Therefore, agreement on the correct site is a fundamental requirement for the time-out to be considered effective and is often mandated as part of institutional policies and safety checklists in many healthcare facilities.