The following citations provide background information on retained surgical objects, their threat to patient safety and standard practices for their prevention. Selected links provide full text articles.
“Best Practices for Preventing a Retained Foreign Body,” AORN
Journal, July, 2006; S30-S-36. View full text.
Copeland, P. “The Final Count: Retained Surgical Foreign Bodies,” Patient
Safety, Department of Defense Patient Safety Center, Fall 2005;
4-5. View full text.
Gibbs V and Auerbach A "The Retained Surgical Sponge" in Making Health Care Safer: A Critical Analysis of Patient Safety Practices." Shojania K, Duncan B, McDonald K, and Wachter R, editors. Evidence Report/Technology Assessment No. 43, AHRQ Publication No. 01-E058; July 2001. View full text.
Gibbs V, McGrath M and Russell T. “The Prevention of Retained Foreign Bodies After Surgery,” Bulletin of the American College of Surgeons Vol. 90, No. 10, October 2005. View full text.
Gwande A, Studdert D, Orav E, Brennan T and Zinner M. “Patient Safety: Risk Factors for Retained Instruments and Sponges after Surgery", New England Journal of Medicine 2003 348; 229-235. View abstract.
"Recommended Practices for Sponge, Sharp, and Instrument Counts," AORN Journal, February, 2006; 418, 421-424, 426, 429-433. View full text.
“Reducing the Risk of Unintentionally Retained Foreign Bodies,” Joint Commission International Center for Patient Safety, The Source 3:1, C11, Oct. 2005. View full text.
“Statement on the Prevention of Retained Foreign Bodies after
Surgery,” American College of Surgeons, ST-51 in Bulletin
of the American College of Surgeons Vol. 90, No. 10, October 2005.
View full text.