Retained surgical sponge (gossypiboma) and other retained surgical items: prevention and management.

Review

Retained surgical sponge (gossypiboma) and other retained surgical items: prevention and management.

April 10, 2023

Copeland AW. UpToDate. April 10, 2023.

View more articles from the same authors.

Retained surgical items are rare and potentially catastrophic incidents that continue to occur in surgical care, despite being classified as a sentinel event. This review discusses factors contributing to these never events and prevention strategies, such as standardized count protocols and tracking devices.

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See More About The Topic

Operating Room

Health Care Executives and Administrators

Surgery

Retained Surgical Instruments and Sponges

Cognitive Errors ("Mistakes")

Retained surgical sponge (gossypiboma) and other retained surgical items: prevention and management.

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