S
urgical
items are
mistakenly
left inside
patients
4,500 to 6,000 times a
year. While reports of
retractors, knife blades, scalpels, clamps and scissors found on post-
op X-rays grab our attention, it's a less glamorous item that causes the
most problems — surgical sponges, which account for 70% of items
left behind, according to research studies and government data.
Retained items can cause perforation, granuloma, obstruction, infec-
tion and even death. Considering the risks associated with a second
surgery to remove the item, the cost of a subsequent hospitalization
(Medicare denies payment for these related costs) and the inevitable
malpractice suit, it's hard to understand why more attention isn't
given to preventing these costly mistakes. If money talks, then the
medical and liability costs associated with retained objects — which
easily exceed $200,000 — should be a compelling reason for you to do
all you can to reduce the risk.
J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6 • O U T PA T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T • 7 5
What you can do to
ensure that nothing's
left behind.
Strategies to Prevent
Retained Objects
Camille L. Harlan, RN, JD
Cincinnati, Ohio
• KEEP COUNTING AORN recommends counting all sponges, sharps, and related
miscellaneous items at 5 different times.
