New ID Tag Could Prevent Surgical Errors

[Rose Siding]

WASHINGTON -- A radio frequency tag that patients can affix like a bandage to ensure doctors perform the right surgery on the right person won government approval Friday.

The tag, manufactured by SurgiChip Inc. of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., aims to prevent wrongful surgeries that records show kill thousands of patients a year.
............
Before surgery, the tag is scanned and the patient is asked to confirm the information is correct.

On the day of surgery, the tag is scanned again and reconfirmed again by the patient before the patient is sedated.

The patient helps stick the tag, which has an adhesive backing, near the site of the surgery. Workers in the hospital's operating room scan the tag again to compare that information with the patient's chart. Before surgery, the tag would be removed.

SurgiChip estimated its package, which includes the tag, scanner, printer and proprietary software that would be downloaded by each hospital, would cost a few thousand dollars.

http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-surgichip,0,755763.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines

Stupid question: Wouldn't a magic marker or duct tape work as well? -as long as the health care workers were as consciencious about it as this new system would require they be?

[Lefta Dissenter]

1. My sister used magic marker

to be sure her foot surgery was done on the proper foot. I agree, I don't see a need for another expensive gadget!

----->cut here

--------->do not cut here!

:D

[brook]

6. Magic marker...

Pre-surgery this summer, they handed me the marker. When I finished on my foot, they had me do the same on a chart. Then they gave me the giggle-juice. Everything was copacetic.

[tlcandie]

2. Sounds good to me ..

isn't it what cosmetic surgeons use to mark up the face, eyes, nose and such before the actual surgery so they can see on the table what they do or don't want to do? Why should this be any different except someone wants to make some $$$!!!

[Rose Siding]

3. Well, the company is in FL

Maybe they are being repayed for their campaign "donation".

[pig.]

4. ACK!!! NO NO NO NO NOOOOOO!

REMOVED OR INSERTED!

HOW WOULD YOU KNOW IF YOU WERE UNCONCIOUS?

ACK ACK ACK!

:tinfoilhat:

[burrowowl]

5. What if the chip is programmed to

vote for Bu$h or cut off everything or .....