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Risk factors for retained surgical items: a meta-analysis and proposed risk stratification system.
August 13, 2014
Moffatt-Bruce SD, Cook CH, Steinberg SM, et al. J Surg Res. 2014;190(2):429-36.
This meta-analysis identified factors that increase risk of retained foreign objects, including clinical complexity, failure to perform a surgical count, and involvement of multiple surgical teams. These results indicate that multiple prevention efforts are needed to avoid this never event. A past AHRQ WebM&M commentary describes a patient who was discharged with a retained surgical item and reveals technological solutions to reduce risks.
