title: Unintentional side error for continuous sciatic nerve block at the popliteal fossa.
abstract: Among all fields of healthcare about 45% of medical errors occur in the operating theatre. Wrong site procedures remain one of the most preventable medical errors. Unintentional wrong-sided peripheral nerve block is relatively a rare event in anesthesia care. However, the incidence is unknown but each time wrong-sided block occurs it represents a mistake and a potential for harm. The surgical safety checklist was established in 2008 by the world Health organization (WHO) as a part of the "Safe surgery save Lives" initiative. We report in this article a case of wrong sided continuous popliteal sciatic nerve block and discuss the role of the WHO's checklist in preventing wrong side peripheral nerve block and surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesia & Intensive Care, Clinique du Parc Saint Lazare, 1 et 3 Avenue Jean Rostand, 60000 Beauvais, France. balnasser@orange.fr
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Al-Nasser
mesh_terms: D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage; D057189:Checklist; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000517:prevention & control; D008875:Middle Aged; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D012584:Sciatic Nerve; D014944:World Health Organization
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local