A system for ensuring the correct location/side of a surgery is described. The system includes a reader coupled to a validater. A first machine readable marking associated with a medical procedure site on a body of a patient is placed on a planned medical procedure site on the body of the patient. A second machine readable marking associated with a pre-identified reference point. A reader reads the first and second machine readable marking. A validater receives medical procedure plan data associated with the patient and compares the medical procedure plan data with the first and second machine readable markings to verify the validity of the planned medical procedure and the site of the planned medical procedure.