Hospitals Fined After Surgical Sponges Were Left In 2 Patients

One patient underwent a vaginal hysterectomy only to require a second surgery to remove a surgical sponge that was left inside of her body.

A second patient had abdominal surgery to remove a cancerous tumor.  The surgery stretched on for four hours and more than 60 sponges were placed in her abdomen during the surgery.  However, only 59 sponges were removed. Five days later an x-ray showed the missing sponge.  She required another surgery to remove the lost sponge.

Unfortunately these are not rare events, but they are completely preventable.  Sponges are not left inside a patient without malpractice.  Nurses are required to account for all sponges and instruments used during surgery.  If anything is missing the nurse has a duty to notify the surgeon. The surgeon can look for the sponge and even order an x-ray to assist in finding the sponge. 

Technology has made it even easier.  Some hospitals use radio frequencies and bar scanners to track surgical sponges.  My understanding is the VCU Medical Center has started using these technologies.  I have not heard whether or not the Bon Secours hospitals (St. Mary's, Memorial Regional Medical Center, and St. Francis) or the HCA Hospitals (Henrico Doctor's Hospitals, Retreat, Chippenham and Johnston Willis, and John Randolph) are still relying on manual counts.