Retained surgical sponges are one of the leading patient safety concerns in operating rooms across the country—occurring at an estimated rate of 1 out of every 1,000 to 1,500 intra-abdominal operations. (Gwande, A; see References)
Every hospital, surgeon and perioperative care nurse understands the patient risks, complications and cost of this preventable medical error. Manual sponge counting protocols and other safety measures have become part of the standard processes of care in the OR to better manage and account for surgical disposables. Yet, despite such vigilance, the incidence of retained sponges still greatly impacts health care and patient safety.
RF Surgical has developed a solution that will raise the standard of patient care and safety in the OR. Our RF Surgical Detection System is the first truly cost effective, easy to use scanning system to accurately detect and prevent retained surgical objects in patients before closing procedures.
A Better System of Detection
Our focus is on sponge detection inside the patient, not counting sponges
outside the patient. By targeting the immediate safety concern, we
can assist in clearing the patient for closure by answering the critical
question: “Are there any sponges still in
the patient?”
Competitive systems utilizing bar code and RFID technologies are working to automate sponge counts, requiring scanning sponges both in and out of the surgical field. Their focus is on answering the question: “Is the surgical count correct?” We believe our product offers a better system of detection.
By utilizing a hybrid RF platform and passive tag, we have overcome the limitations of size and cost inherent in standard RFID technology.
The RF Surgical Detection System consists of three components: a handheld scanning wand connected to a compact, self-calibrating console and a micro RF tag which is embedded in a variety of surgical gauze, sponges and towels. When the system is activated and the wand is passed over a patient, an audible and visual alert would signal the presence of any retained object(s) fitted with a tag.
A Better Way of Validating Surgical Counts
The RF Surgical Detection System’s speed and accuracy
offer quick validation that no tagged sponges have been left behind in
the patient before closing.
Since the majority of retained sponges happen when the counts are thought to be correct, a clear scan and a reconciled surgical count give the scrub nurse and circulator the assurance and peace of mind that their findings are also correct.
In situations where the patient is cleared, but the surgical count is off, the wand can also be used to scan the room to quickly detect and locate the missing object.
Read more about the features and benefits of the RF Surgical Detection System.