ABSTRACT

Despite implementation of manual counting protocols for surgical sponges, incidents of retained sponges persist. This aim of this study is to evaluate retrospectively and accurately describe the rate and type of discrepancies encountered in the surgical count. Also to evaluate the effect of scrub and circulating nurse coordination on sponge count. In a 52 weeks period the routine count of sponges used and retrieved during surgery comes up with a discrepancy 6 in 612 operations. However, almost always the missing items were found before any harm was done. There was 41% positive correlation between single nurse working and false count of surgical sponges. In conclusion this study shows the importance of the scrub and circulating nurse coordination. Single nurse working could cause false count of sponges and lead to medical errors.