DOIAbstract
The goal of this study is the establishment of a norm, nowadays inexistent, which assures the best quality of health care to patients undergoing surgery. Leaving sponges or medical instruments inside surgical patients can lead to serious deontological, legal and economical problems. In order to avoid this kind of problems it is highly recommended the creation of a protocol in each surgery unit. This protocol should determine aspects such as how and when to count the material used, who should be in charge of doing it, what to do if an incident occurs, how to prevent it, etc. All these are important guidelines to be followed by the staff working at the surgery unit. The compliance of these protocols ensures adequate patient and staff safet...