Module 4: Counting 

🎯 Module Objectives 

1. Outline the personnel responsible for the surgical count. 
2. Identify which surgical items must be counted.  
3.  Describe the process and appropriate timing for completing surgical counts. 
4. Summarize the actions that must be taken when the count is incorrect. 
5. Explain the risks for patients of unintentionally retained surgical items. 
6. Identify appropriate documentation related to the surgical count. 

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📖 Required Readings 

ORNAC standards  2021
Surgical Count Management 3.12 P. 3-75 to 3-88

ORNAC Standards 2023
Surgical Count Management 3.12-3.20 (3-80)

Other
CineMed Video #1980: Prevention of Retained Surgical Items: Patients are Counting on You (2016) 

Weprin, S., Crocerossa, F., Meyer, D., Madda, K., Valancy, D., Osardu, R., Kang, H., Moore, R.H., Carbonara, U., Kim, F.J., & Autorino, R. (2021). Risk factors and preventive strategies for unintentionally retained surgical sharps: a systematic review. Patient Safety in Surgery, 15 (24). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13037-021-00297-3

Alexander’s care of the patient in surgery
16th Ed. p 25-26 (start at retained surgical items); 199-200 (start at count discrepancies)

17th Ed. p 24-27 (start at unintended retention of foreign objects); 197 (start at count discrepancies)

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Introduction 

This module covers the process of the surgical count, as well as the items required in a surgical count.  Thorough knowledge of the surgical count is vital in the perioperative nurse’s role for ensuring patient safety by reducing the risk of retained surgical items.