We entrust our lives to the hands of surgeons. Their hands are miraculous, and so they are able to sew tissues and excise tumors as God does. But here is the worst of it all: at times, they seal a patient up and inadvertently leave something there. A sponge. A clamp. A scalpel.
The most common culprit? Surgical sponges, 69 percent of retained objects. They are tender, absorbent, and when impregnated with blood, are almost invisible to the human body.
The scariest part? Even with the manual count by surgical teams, 88% of retained sponge cases were associated with a final count that the surgical team falsely believed was accurate. Human error is inevitable. Technology is changing that, but not the other way around. Choose the best RFID asset tracking software that can make your job easier.
Finding the RFID Solution, a Digital Safety
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology has become the weapon of the greatest power in terms of surpassing the retained surgical items. Here's how it works:
There are tiny RFID tags directly embedded in surgical sponges, surgical instruments, and other consumables. These labels are extremely robust; they can survive up to 2,500 autoclave sterilization treatments, extreme temperatures, chemical exposure, and gamma radiation. They do not have to have batteries; they run on the signal of the reader.
Each item is scanned during the surgery when it enters the sterile field, as it is tagged. The system will be aware of the number of sponges available in the room. By the time the procedure is completed, a wand is moved over the patient. In case a sponge is left, the RFID tag transmits its position immediately.
What about Complete Instrument Accountability?
It is not only sponges of concern. The number of instruments in surgical trays may go into the dozens, and research indicates that 78-87% of instruments are not utilized during a typical surgical procedure, causing huge tracking problems.
This is addressed with RFID because it facilitates a real-time view. Hospitals can now:
a) Eradication of Track Tray Assembly Errors
According to one study, an RFID management system allowed zero assembly errors and also included the usage history of each instrument. RFID warehouse tracking has become hugely popular in the in the recent times.
b) Cut Assembly Time by Almost 50 Percent
RFID allows two professionals to be checked once, as opposed to the two before.
c) Get Real-Time Notifications
In case of any important measures overlooked in sterilization or tray preparation, the staff receives an alert as soon as possible.
d) Avoid Counterfeit Tools
RFID is used to make sure that the tools employed in the operating room are authentic and approved.
Choose the Real Systems in Action
The Smart Sponge System is an RFID-based OR platform that is the first to receive FDA-clearing status (Clear Count Medical Solutions). Here's how it works:
- Sponges are packed in unique serial numbers, which are pre-packaged.
- The package is swiped against a reader, which registers all the sponges.
- All sponges leaving and going into the sterile field are recorded using a Smart Bucket with an inbuilt reader.
- Lastly, a handheld scanner known as a Smart Wand is used to scan the patient to be sure that nothing is left inside.
Such firms as KLS Martin have gone a step further by managing with RFID, which incorporates tags that can endure thousands of sterilizations and can be directly linked to hospital systems.
Tips that Will Help Healthcare Facilities Implementing RFID
Wherever RFID is concerned, and you are thinking of applying it in your surgical suite, remember the following:
- Are you interested in sponges being retained, traceability of instruments, or easier tray assembly? Your system is what you want to achieve.
- Be sure that your RFID tags are sterilized over and over. Others will support a maximum of 1,000 uses of an autoclave- do not compromise.
- Even the finest technology cannot work without adoption. Employees must be aware of how and why.
RFID will not be a substitute for the surgeon. But it will see that at the time the last stitch is sewed nothing is left behind but the healing. This invisible technology is the new norm of treatment in an era of perfectionistic patients.
The next time you are under the anesthetic needle, you can be sure that they have a digital guardian who can be tracking your progress of sponges, clamps, and instruments until you are safely sutured and heading off to a recovery room.
