Strategies to prevent inadvertent retained surgical items: An integrative review

Abstract

• Because majority of RFOs occurred in setting of a correct count, routine X-ray (using high-resolution radiographic equipment in a dedicated imaging area, not a portable X-ray intra-op) in all patients is a very important safety process. Nature of practice and high number of complex cases that involve multiple specialties and large blood loss means staff and support systems might be more sensitised to the risk associated with procedures and might contribute to increased vigilance and avoidance of RFO.