title: RFID tags help alert surgeons to problems.
abstract: Estimates say 1,500 objects are left inside patients after surgery each year in the United States; two-thirds are sponges. A handheld wand scanning device successfully detects sponges in seconds. The author recommends conducting an initial count prior to surgical incision, a second count at the beginning of wound closure, and a third count before the skin is closed.
mesh_terms: D002140:California; D006801:Humans; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000517:prevention & control; D010820:Physicians; D011846:Radio Waves; D017751:Safety Management / Q000379:methods*; D013503:Surgery Department, Hospital; D015503:Surgical Sponges