Barcode Counting System Clinical Data

In April 2008, A randomized, controlled trial was performed to evaluate a computer-assisted method for counting sponges using a barcode system. The barcode system was only evaluated in 150 general surgery cases.

"We(authors) were unable to determine whether the bar-code system could decrease the rate of retained sponges because of the impossibly large sample size required. The current analysis was also limited to elective general surgery operations and did not test emergency operations, which are recognized to be at higher risk for retained sponges."

"There were 17 incidents of technological difficulties because of the bar-code system (2.04 per 1000 sponges counted)."

"The bar-code system was abandoned at the discretion of the surgical team in 5 of 150 operations because of time constraints."

Source: Annals of Surgery • Volume 247, Number 4, April 2008, Bar-Coded Sponges To Improve Safety • Atul A. Gawande, MD, MPH • Department of Surgery • Brigham and Women's Hospital

This indicates that the barcode sponge system is difficult to manage and not suitable for all surgical procedures.

• Study is inconclusive as to whether bar coding could decrease the rate of retained sponges
• No data for high risk emergency procedures
• Many technical difficulties using this system
• Susceptible to be abandoned during emergency operations or similar "no time to count" cases (such as trauma)