Immediately before grommet insertion, the consent form and theatre list disagree about which ear is planned. What is the correct response?
A checklist is a safety process, not permission to average conflicting information. The team must halt, verify indication and laterality, correct documentation and repeat the relevant checks.
A. Follow the theatre list because it was printed last: Recency does not establish clinical truth.
B. Operate on both ears to avoid choosing: That exposes the patient to an unconsented procedure.
C. Stop and resolve the discrepancy with the patient and source records before anaesthesia or incision: A checklist is a safety process, not permission to average conflicting information. The team must halt, verify indication and laterality, correct documentation and repeat the relevant checks.
D. Ask the most junior team member to decide: Responsibility requires authoritative verification and patient involvement.
E. Proceed and amend the consent form afterwards: Retrospective paperwork cannot create valid consent.
If bilateral disease and bilateral consent were clearly documented, the team would still complete the formal sign-in and time-out.
Independent Clinora educational preparation material; not official JCIE content, an accredited programme, clinical advice, or a substitute for current guidance, local policy and specialist judgement.
Back to the Section 1 bank