One of southeast Georgia and southern South Carolina’s most prominent health care centers, Memorial University Medical Center, recently announced the implementation of the RF Assure Detection System.
The move, according to a press release, is aimed at preventing the medical error of retained surgical items (RSI), which is a dangerous, yet highly preventable medical error. Leveraging the radio-frequency detection technology, the RF Assure Detection System helps identify and prevent potential RSIs, or the incidence of any material such as gauze or sponges remaining inside a patient following a surgical procedure.
The RF Assure Detection System features a soft detection mat, which is installed on the surgical table under the patient. The system automatically scans the surgical site and alerts operating room staff if any materials fitted with an RF tag, such as gauze or a sponge, remain inside a patient's body prior to closure.
According to an estimate, 1,500 to 2,000 unintended retention of surgical item cases occur each year in the United States. This automatic and advanced detection system enables clinicians to easily and efficiently prevent RSI and risks of unnecessary X-rays and repeat surgeries are dramatically reduced. Moreover, the system also helps to lower the potential anesthesia time.
Memorial University Medical Center is the region's only Level 1 trauma center and in the surgical procedures relating to trauma, the chances of RSI incidence is greater, as in these cases, surgeries are performed very fast, in almost a “no-time-to-count” manner. With the implementation of RF Assure Detection System, Memorial University Medical Center becomes the first hospital in the Savannah, Georgia area to use the technology.
In the release, the hospital spokespersons clarified that the procedure of manual counting of surgical materials, which is required by the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN has not been replaced altogether by RF detection system. While, manual counting is still the standard practice, this advanced detection system is going to be practiced alongside the previous system and reinforces AORN protocol by providing extra verification without the need for secondary counting or additional time consuming processes, the hospital explained.
“Providing the very highest level of safety in our patients' care is critical, and implementing the radio frequency detection technology to eliminate the incidence of retained objects is a key step to preventing errors in our surgical suites. We are proud of our leadership in patient safety and adoption of this cutting-edge safety technology,” president and CEO of Memorial Health Maggie Gill noted in a statement.
A few months back, Memorial University Medical Center (MUMC) signed a multi-year agreement with Conifer Health Solutions, a leader in business process solutions for healthcare providers for revenue cycle services. Under terms of the agreement, Conifer will be responsible for Memorial's Patient Access, Health Information Management (HIM) and Business Office Services effective immediately.
Madhubanti Rudra is a contributing editor for HealthTechZone. To read more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.Edited by
Jennifer Russell
