Fast and Efficient Way to Find Lost Surgical Items and Manage Miscounts In- Patient8

(Sharp detection indicated by audio sound and blue light on tip and handle.)

Lost Sharps and Miscounts Have Significant Impacts

Miscounts and Lost Needles Happen Often1

  • Miscounts: estimated 24 times a year per OR nurse
  • Lost needle: 3.6 times per year per surgeon
  • Retained Surgical Sharps (RSS): 2 to 3 lost sharps not recovered per 10,000 surgeries

Increased Health Risks to Patient and Staff2

  • Prolonged anesthesia time
  • Increased patient/staff X-Ray exposure
  • Unwanted stress and second victim syndrome leading to burn out
  • Potential chronic pain, irritation, or organ injury

Increased OR Time and Costs3

  • Average time spent on managing lost sharps is up to 30 minutes, and using X-Ray can add an additional 40 minutes, a total of up to 70 minutes.
  • X-Ray is effective less than 50% of the time and not effective for needles smaller than 15mm.

$2 Million Average Malpractice Claim4

  • RSI events are not reimbursable, leaving hospitals to absorb costs and settlement
  • Approximately $473,000 average RSI indemnity payment
  • Approximately $2,000,000 claim involving permanent patient damage
  • $105,000 to $865,000 individual physician indemnity.

Damaged Surgeon and Hospital Reputations

  • RSIs must be reported and impact hospital safety grades
  • The media is quick to report sensational RSI events
  • Following some cases, hospital leadership changes and entire practices close

Case Study: Losing
Surgical Needles

To avoid the consequences of RSIs, surgeons spend a significant amount of time and resources locating lost surgical needles, broken instruments and sharps in their patients. RSI searches result in greater exposure to radiation, prolonged anesthesia, and ultimately result in increased OR costs. When surgeons can’t find sharps, patient disclosure is required and both hospitals and surgeons are at risk of reputational damage or litigation.

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