Surgical packs, drains and devices left in patients for months
An analysis of 31 incidents at 20 Vic hospitals shows 16% of retained items were not discovered for more than six months
Surgical items can be left in patients for months before being detected, according to a review of 31 Victorian incidents over a five-year period.
Researchers from a consortium of universities examined the root-cause analysis investigation reports for the incidents occurring in 20 Victorian public health services between 2010 and 2015.
They found in five (16%) of cases the items – mostly involving surgical packs, drains and vascular devices – were not identified for more than six months.
With one case not picked up for 18 months, the researchers reported in the International Journal for Quality in Health Care.
