title: Using a data-matrix-coded sponge counting system across a surgical practice: impact after 18 months.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Retained surgical items (RSIs), most commonly sponges, are infrequent. Yet despite sponge-counting standards, failure to maintain an accurate count is a common error. To improve counting performance, technology solutions have been developed. A data-matrix-coded sponge (DMS) system was evaluated and implemented in a high-volume academic surgical practice at Mayo Clinic Rochester (MCR). The primary end point was prevention of sponge RSIs after 18 months.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two trials were conducted before implementation. A randomized-controlled trial assessed the system's function, efficiency, and ergonomics. The second, larger trial was conducted to validate the prior findings and test product improvements. After the trials, the system was implemented in all 128 operating/procedure rooms across the MCR campus on February 2, 2009. The institutionwide implementation was intended to avoid the possibility of having standard unmarked sponges and DMSs in the operating room suite concurrently.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Before implementation, a retained sponge occurred on average every 64 days. Between February 2009 and July 2010, 87,404 procedures were performed, and 1,862,373 DMSs were used without an RSI (p < .001). After four cases, the average time to count a DMS decreased from 11 to 4 seconds. Total sponge counting time/operation increased without any increase in overall operative time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After 18 months, a DMS system eliminated sponge RSIs from a high-volume surgical practice. The DMS system caused no work-flow disruption or increases in case duration. Staff satisfaction was acceptable, with a high degree of trust in the system. The DMS system is a reliable and cost-effective technology that improves patient safety.
authors.affiliation: Surgical Services, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA. Cima.Robert@Mayo.edu
authors.forename: Robert R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Cima
authors.forename: Anantha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kollengode
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pool
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Weisbrod
authors.forename: Gwendolyn J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Amstutz
authors.forename: Claude
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Deschamps
mesh_terms: D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D001330:Electronic Data Processing / Q000379:methods*; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015588:Observer Variation; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000379:methods; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000379:methods*; D015503:Surgical Sponges; D013997:Time Factors