Marking of the skin
When you are undergoing a procedure and there is a chance for error (e.g. left or right), the physician will mark the operation site before the procedure. The physician will put an arrow on your skin with a marker. The marking is done in consultation with the physician and yourself.
The marking is not harmful and will disappear after a couple of days when you wash with water and soap.
Asking questions
Before the procedure, care providers will ask you a number of questions to make sure it is the right procedure, at the right side and the right patient. If you have any questions at that time, feel free to ask them.
Checklist: not forgetting anything
In addition, the care providers have a checklist (safe surgery) that checks a number of elements before the anaesthetic, before incision and after the procedure.