Two, Four, Six, Eight… Stop and Count before it is Too Late! An Audit on Swab, Needle and Instrument Counts in Theatre. Issue 7 (July 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Donnelly, T
• Is Part Of: Journal of perioperative practice. Volume 24:Issue 7/8(2014)
• Page Start: 178
• Page End: 181
• Publication Date: 2014-07
• Subjects: Clinical audit -- Major surgery -- Local policy -- Recommended practices -- Communication -- Counts -- Documentation; Operating room nursing -- Periodicals; 617.9192
• DOI: 10.1177/1750458914024007-804
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2515-7949

Abstract

A concurrent audit was conducted over a four week period to determine if the counting of swabs, needles and instruments for surgery adhered to local policy and recommended guidelines. Data were collected on 30 abdominal surgical procedures. This audit highlighted failings in the count process. It identified poor communication within the multidisciplinary team. There needs to be an increased awareness about local policy, national and international guidelines regarding the counting of swabs, needles and instruments for all surgical procedures.