Hospitals have same routine for surgery

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Surgeons in Rhode Island will soon follow the same procedures before their surgeries, no matter which hospital in the state they are working in.

The Hospital Association of Rhode Island said Wednesday that the hospitals voluntarily agreed to adopt the same routine for surgical procedures, which includes having two licensed providers mark the operation site, requiring surgeons to mark the site with their initials and using a checklist before surgeries.

The goal is to help doctors who work at multiple hospitals and reduce the possibility of surgical errors.

Hospital officials plan to announce more details next week. The new protocol will begin July 1.