MARKING PROCEDURE FAQ When must the body site be marked?
Site marking is essential when there is the potential for error involving left/right distinction (such as left or right leg, kidney etc.) multiple body parts (such as fingers and toes) or multiple levels in the body part (such as the spine). Site marking is not required (although it can be used) in the following circumstances: • to avoid confusion, (for example, if a procedure requires a regional anaesthetic, then only the procedure site should be marked) • for radiology procedures or investigations where marking the site could add to the ambiguity of subsequent procedures • for single organ cases (for example cardiac surgery, caesarean section) • if the site is obvious (for example open trauma wound, large tumour) • for interventional cases where the catheter/instrument site is not predetermined (for example, cardiac catheterisation, epidural/spinal analgesia/anaesthesia) • where the site of surgical entry is unambiguous (for example, midline incisions, cystoscopies, laparoscopies) •
