RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL Bar-coding Surgical Sponges To Improve Safety A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: A randomized, controlled trial was performed to evalu-ate a computer-assisted method for counting sponges using a bar-code system. Background: Retained sponges are a rare and preventable problem but persist in surgery despite standardized protocols for counting. Technology that improves detection of counting errors could reduce risk to surgical patients. Methods: We performed a randomized controlled trial comparing a bar-coded sponge system with a traditional counting protocol in 300 general surgery operations. Observers monitored sponge and instru-ment counts and recorded all incidents of miscounted or misplaced sponges. Surgeons and operating room staff completed postopera-tive and end-of-study surveys evaluating the bar-code system. Results: The bar-code system detected significantly more counting discrepancies than the traditional protocol (32 vs.13 discrepancies