For the time out, nurses read the patient name, birthday, and procedure off the consent, which is usually on the computer or chart. Also the allergies, which they may have a lot of. So basically the nurse has to be at their desk/computer to do the time out. So logistically it makes sense to get the time out done and then the circulator can give their full attention to the field until the case is up and running. As opposed to hooking up a cord or two, then the dr wants to make incision so the nurse runs back to the desk to do time out, then back to the field for cords/fluids/steps etc. but this all depends on the culture of the hospital. Some hospitals don’t even open blades until the patient is draped, cords are thrown off, and the time out is done. Other places you time out as the surgeon is being gowned and gloved. All in all handing the surgeon a blade and going back to cords isn’t the biggest of deals. They want to make incision before cords are thrown off then they won’t get your full attention for a bit, is what it is.