Safety checks, one of the most important functions in the operating room, are carried out by the surgical team.At King Edward VII Memorial Hospital the checks are done in three phases. Just before going to sleep, patients are asked their name, date of birth, the procedure they are having done and if they have any allergies. The circulating nurse ensures that the information patients give matches their consent form.Also, the surgeon marks the surgery site on the patient before the anaesthesia takes effect and the nurse verifies with the patient that this is correct.The second safety check comes just before the procedure is to start.“We have a timeout just before knife goes to skin,” said KEMH perioperative nurse Michelle Evans. “The entire surgical team is present. No one talks except the person going through the list.“She said to ensure nothing is left inside the patient, all the instruments, swabs, and materials to be used in the surgery are counted and the correct name of the procedure is read.The third safety check, called the sign-out, takes place at the conclusion of the surgical procedure. It promotes team discussion with regards to post-operative planning.When all checks have been done, the documentation is given to nurses in the recovery room. This handover usually done by the anaesthetic nurse provides continuity of care, according to Ms Evans.