Nurse Directories on: The Nurse Friendly
Sponge, Needle, Instrument Counts,
Operating Room Resources

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You are here: 4nursing.com: Directories: Nursing Topics, A to Z: Add URL, NursingMail.com   Web www.nursinga2z.com The Retained Surgical Sponge, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality:"Although less likely to garner public notoriety, errors relating to the failure to remove surgical instruments at the end of a procedure, (ie, needles, knife blades, electrosurgical adapters and safety pins) or sponges (known as gossypiboma; gossypium: Latin, cotton; boma: Swahili, place of concealment) are no less egregious than the better known mishaps such as "wrong-site surgery" (see Subchapter 43.2). Retained materials may cause an acute foreign body reaction with local or systemic signs that prompt investigation and reoperation. Alternatively, a fibrinous response may be elicited, and the retained instrument or sponge may become apparent some time after the original surgical procedure either serendipitously, or via fistulization into local structures.1" http://www.ahcpr.gov/clinic/ptsafety/chap22.htm ****************************************************** Techniques to Reduce Incidence of the Retained Surgical Sponge, injuryboard.com:"Although less likely to garner public notoriety, errors relating to the failure to remove surgical instruments at the end of a procedure, (ie, needles, knife blades, electrosurgical adapters and safety pins) or sponges (known as gossypiboma; gossypium: Latin, cotton; boma: Swahili, place of concealment) are no less egregious than the better known mishaps such as "wrong-site surgery." http://www.injuryboard.com/view.cfm/ID=123/Type=Gov/ARTICLE=670 ****************************************************** Gossypiboma - Retained Lap Sponge, Imaging Cases of the Week:"This 59 y/o male was seven days post op cystectomy and ileal conduit formation. A KUB was performed because of decreasing urinary output and persistent left flank pain. Retraction of the left ureteral stent is apparent. The more important finding, while not likely accounting for the symptoms, is the retained lap sponge in the right mid abdomen. The patient's wound was reopened and the lap sponge removed without incident. At this time the retracted ureteral stent was also repositioned. Radiologists must always remind themselves to look at the whole film and observe ALL the findings. A familiarity with the x-ray appearance of sponges and other instruments and accessories used in the operating room is a helpful adjunct to interpeting post op films. While retained surgical implements can be diagnosed in a variety of ways(6-12), I recommend you spend some time x-raying or fluoroscoping them. It can be an interesting and rewarding way to spend a rainy day!" http://home.earthlink.net/~radiologist/tf/050800.htm ****************************************************** case report: Retained surgical sponges, a denied neurosurgical reality? Cautionary note, Neurosurgical Review:"Surgically acquired foreign bodies are well known but not widely reported. Only seven articles pertaining to this subject were found in the current neurosurgical literature. Are they a denied neurosurgical reality? In this report with a concededly provoking title, the authors elucidate clinical and medicolegal aspects of retained surgical sponges, with emphasis on spinal procedures." http://link.springer-ny.com/link/service/journals/10143/bibs/1024001/10240041.htm ****************************************************** Gossypiboma revisited: a case report and review of the literature, The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh:"Gossypiboma (retained surgical sponge) is a rare but preventable occurrence. In this case it presented as a chronic abdominal mass which simulated a primary small bowel tumour. The findings on pelvic ultrasonography were typical for this condition and the role of plain abdominal radiology in the gynaecological patient are highlighted." http://www.rcsed.ac.uk/journal/vol43_6/4360016.htm ****************************************************** Imaging of Retained Surgical Objects in the Abdomen and Pelvis, UCSF School of Medicine:"Retention of surgical objects in the abdomen or pelvis occurs with a frequency of 1 in 100 to 5,000 operations, and accounts for 50% of malpractice claims for retained foreign bodies [1, 2]. A retained surgical sponge or swab is also known as a gossypiboma, derived from gossypium (Latin; cotton) and boma (Swahili; place of concealment). Clinically, retained sponges may be asymptomatic or result in a granulomatous response with abscess development, intestinal obstruction, or fistula formation. Radiologically, gossypibomas may be confused with post-operative collections or tumors, particularly with the increasing surgical use of absorbable haemostatic sponges to control hemorrhage. In order to provide accurate interpretation, radiologists need to be familiar with the imaging findings of both inadvertent and intentional postoperative surgical objects." http://www.radiology.ucsf.edu/instruction/abdominal/abdominal_ret_objects1.shtml ****************************************************** The Stowaway Sponge, American Scientist:"A surgical sponge is an item named for its function, not its appearance. A gauze pad, typically four inches by four inches but sometimes larger, it's used to soak up blood during operations, and then removed from the patient before the wound is closed up. Usually, that is--but not always." http://www.americanscientist.org/issues/sciobs97/sciobs97-09sponge.html ****************************************************** Nursing Malpractice Cases: May 23, 1999: Sponge Count Off, Patient Develops Sepsis, Surgeon Blames Nurse. Sponge Counts are a basic and critical safety measure during a surgical operation.  In this case, the standard three counts were not performed.  A sponge was left in the patient that would later lead to infection.  When the issue went to court, the surgeon claimed "it was not his responsibility" to keep track of the sponges. Johnston v. 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Choose Nursing Uniforms, Shoes, Scrubs, Accessories By Brand: Barco, Birkenstock, Cherokee, Crest, Dickies, Disney, Haflinger, Landau, Nurse Mates, Peaches, Rockport, Romika, White Cross, White Swan See also: Accessories Blood Pressure Cuffs, Sphygnomanometers Nursing Tote Bags, Carry-Ons, Medical Bags Clinical, Medical Supplies, Nurses Discount Outlet: Angels, Books, Clothing , Equipment, Figurines, Holidays, Home Decor, Jewelry, Nurses, Office Decor, Scrubs, Shoes, T-Shirts Footwear, Shoes, Sandals, Discount, Bargains Gifts For Nurses (Nurses Week) Hosiery, Socks, Stockings Jewelry, Earrings, Necklaces, Watches Luxury Spas, Facials, Manicures, Pedicures Perfumes, Fragrances, Phermones Shoes, Boots, Sandals, Footwear, High Heels, Slippers Stethescopes, Nurse Kits, Replacement Parts Swimwear (Tan-Through) Women's Lingerie Surprised? eBay Has Nursing Supplies, scrubs, uniforms, stethescopes, etc.:"You can find nursing supplies right here! 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Box 388 Centerbrook, CT 06409-03881 http://www.nursefriendly.com/station/ ****************************************************** ****************************************************** Nursing In The Media, Nursingadvocacy.org ER:"Media products under your influence, particularly the NBC/Warner drama "ER," are harming the profession of 2.7 million American nurses by giving the public an inaccurate and inadequate account of what nurses really do to save and improve lives. Research suggests that "ER" strongly and negatively influences the way children view nursing. These products contribute to the nursing shortage, a public health crisis that threatens millions worldwide." NBC's "Passions":"NBC's "Passions" solves nursing shortage: monkeys can do the job! Starting in March 2003 and at least as recently as late August, NBC's campy, supernatural daytime soap opera "Passions" has featured an orangutan named Precious in the role of the private duty nurse of one of its characters--a bold step backwards in the already slow...evolution...of the media's treatment of nurses. more..." "Scrubs" defines nursing:""Scrubs" defines nursing: it's all about shutting up and following physician "orders. " November 20, 2003 -- Tonight's episode of NBC's "Scrubs," which purports to teach nurse Carla Espinosa that nursing is all about doing what physicians tell you, is one of the most virulently anti-nurse prime time television episodes the Center has ever seen. more..." http://www.nursingadvocacy.org/ ****************************************************** Nursing Chat, Nurse Discussion Forums: http://nursingdiscussions.com Alphabetical Nursing Topic Discussion, Chat List Are good CNA jobs that hard to find? 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Nurses In Recovery: Nursing & Adult ADD Put Male Nurses In Panties Rude Doctors Specialty Nursing Staff Nurses Tattoos In The Workplace The Nursing Shortage, Your Opinions To Stay In Nursing or Not Travel Nurses Talk Travel Nursing Workplace Violence ****************************************************** ****************************************************** The Uniform Resource Locator (URL) or Internet Street Address of this page is http://www.lopez1.com/lopez/1/operating.room/sponge.needle.instrument.counts.htm Send comments and mail to Andrew Lopez, RN Created on Saturday, May 22, 1999 Send comments and mail to Andrew Lopez, RN Last updated by Andrew Lopez, RN on Wednesday, November 16, 2005