sponges affixed with 2D matrix labels or wands that locate sponges
by radiofrequency identification — supplement the manual counting
process. They offer such potential benefits as timelier counts,
improved count accuracy and less usage of post-op imaging to locate
missing items. Have your entire surgical team assess each technology
option to see which one would effectively augment their counting
practices.
8 6 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • M A R C H 2 0 1 7
A 2007 study from
Brigham & Women's
Hospital in Boston
found that counts are
off in 1 out of every 8
surgeries. In none of the
cases was an item left
in a patient's body, but
that's still a surprisingly
high number. Here's how to respond when there's a discrepancy
between the initial and closing counts.
• Communicate. The circulating nurse or scrub tech must
immediately notify the rest of the team by identifying the type and
number of items that are unaccounted for. They should receive
verbal confirmation from the surgeon that he understands items
are missing.
• Suspend wound closure. The surgeon suspends wound closure
and performs another methodical wound exploration while the
anesthesia provider coordinates the patient's emergence (if possi-
• ALL HANDS ON DECK Each surgical team member should help to resolve count discrepancies.
WHEN COUNTS ARE OFF
In the Event of a Surgical Count Discrepancy ...
AORN
