Never events: the sponge problem

April 16, 2014 (Press-News.org) When a doctor accidently leaves a surgical item inside the body, the result can severely harm -- or even kill -- the patient. For example, a left behind sponge can equate to hundreds of thousands of dollars in further medical assistance and medical malpractice costs.

The sponge case is often called a "never event," as it should never happen. Moreover, it is difficult to know exactly how often sponges are left behind in bodies. According to numbers from the Mayo Clinic, there was approximately one "foreign object" case for every 5,500 operations from 2003 to 2006. Furthermore, an examination of malpractice settlements over a two-decade period found that sponge cases are common at a rate of roughly 2,024 claims per year.

So, how are sponge accidents avoided?

The best way to avoid sponge accidents is to count medical equipment before and after procedures. The number of sponges that go into a particular procedure should be the same pre- and post- operation. However, even with such diligence, sponge cases still occur, as people miscount the number of materials before and after surgery.

The good news is that Stryker is supporting the push for technology, which can help with sponge counting. For example, the company recently acquired a small business, Patent Safety Technologies, which specializes in creating bar-coded sponges. The company also makes electronic counters, which can read the code on a sponge -- even when it is drenched in blood. Moreover, a few additional companies make sponges that aim to reduce never events, including ClearCount and RF Surgical Systems.

Hopefully, the new technology will help prevent issues concerning left behind surgical materials; however, experts warn that the medical profession may need an overall revamp. Specifically, the medical culture needs to draw attention to the issue. Medical professionals and hospitals should acknowledge the problem and create systems that help avoid medical mistakes, in general. In other words, bar codes on sponges are certainly a good idea, but it is only the first step.

Medical malpractice

Patients trust that medical workers and hospitals will take care of them. After all, those working in the medical field are held to the highest of standards. Unfortunately, even the most knowledgeable professionals can slip.

If you have been harmed in a case involving medical negligence, you may wonder about your legal options. To learn more about your options for recovery, speak to a personal injury law or medical malpractice attorney about your matter.

Article provided by Bashein & Bashein Company, L.P.A.
Visit us at www.basheinlaw.com