Final answer:
The intraoperative phase begins when the patient enters the operating room (OR), which involves several checks and preparations to ensure the patient's safety and the success of the surgery.
Step-by-step explanation:
The intraoperative phase in surgery is a critical component of a patient's journey through an operative procedure. This phase officially begins when the patient enters the operating room (OR) and concludes when the patient is transferred to the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). Before the initiation of the intraoperative phase, several essential checks and preparations take place, such as confirming that prophylactic antibiotics have been administered or that they are not indicated, making sure that all essential imaging results for the correct patient are displayed, and the surgical team reviewing aloud key concerns for the patient’s recovery and care.
Furthermore, before the induction of anesthesia, verification of the patient’s identity, surgical site and procedure, consent, and marking of the surgical site occur. It is also imperative that all team members are introduced by name and role and that the patient's airway and risk of aspiration have been evaluated with appropriate equipment and assistance available. These steps help avoid potential complications such as airway obstruction, which might necessitate endotracheal intubation to maintain an open airway during surgery.