Risk Factors for Retained Instruments and Sponges after Surgery

20031,074 citationsJournal Articlebronze Open Access

Authors

Atul A. Gawande · Brigham and Women's Hospital

E. John Orav · Brigham and Women's Hospital

Troyen A. Brennan · Brigham and Women's Hospital

Michael J. Zinner · Brigham and Women's Hospital

Abstract

The risk of retention of a foreign body after surgery significantly increases in emergencies, with unplanned changes in procedure, and with higher body-mass index. Case--control analysis of medical-malpractice claims may identify and quantify risk factors for specific types of errors.

Topics & Keywords

Medical Malpractice and Liability Issues Hemostasis and retained surgical items Patient Safety and Medication Errors

Publication Details

Published in: New England Journal of Medicine

Volume 348, Issue 3, pp. 229-235

DOI: 10.1056/nejmsa021721

Field-Weighted Citation Impact: 64.45

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Risk Factors for Retained Instruments and Sponges after Surgery

Authors

Abstract

Topics & Keywords

Publication Details