Researchers shared their findings on how to prevent retained surgical item incidents in a Becker's Hospital Review webinar.

Leaving behind surgical sponges can have a life-altering effect on patients and leave a permanent scar on a hospital’s quality and safety reputation,” reported Becker's Hospital Review. The webinar provided some key takeaways which included Candello Data.

In addition to unexpected health complications, retained surgical sponges (RSS) can also lead to financial complications, reported one of the speakers. Valerie Marsh shared: “Patients received an average of $600,000 after an RSS, and hospitals had to cover, on average, $77,512 in additional costs for treating and performing surgeries to remove the retained sponge without reimbursement, according to the Risk Management Foundation of Harvard Medical Institutions.”

Read the full-text article associated with the webinar published in peer-review journal, Becker's Clinical Leadership & Infection Control.

OR Safety Series: Insights from University of Michigan School of Nursing

Oliver E. OR safety series: Insights from University of Michigan School of Nursing. Becker’s Clinical Leadership & Infection Control. October 8, 2020. (Registration required)