• Current Universal Protocol (effective through December 31, 2008)
• Implementation Expectations (effective through December 31, 2008)

Updated Universal Protocol:

Below are links to program-specific versions of the updated Universal Protocol, which is effective January 1, 2009. The Universal Protocol was revised based on feedback received at the Wrong Site Surgery Summit in 2007. The updated Protocol has new or deleted elements of performance. In addition, the Universal Protocol includes improvements emanating from the Standards Improvement Initiative, including the new numbering system and minor language changes for consistency. The new numbering format was designed to enable sorting electronically (for the new E-ditions of the manuals) and to accommodate the addition of new requirements. Under the new numbering system, each requirement is assigned a six-digit number that designates its place in the chapter.

2009 FAQs about the Universal Protocol -  Now Posted Under Standards FAQs 

• Ambulatory Health Care
• Critical Access Hospital
• Disease Specific Care
• Hospital
• Office-Based Surgery