Medical litter: Device debris poses serious risk

As a patient you would have no way of knowing a device has been left inside. There are new technologies used with RFID technology, whereby a device is used to see if there is anything left over. When all items used in surgery are tagged with an RFID chip, it’s similar to like waving a “magic wand’ over the patient’s incision to see if there are any “beeps” to alert of any devices still inside. This is done prior to suturing, so the items can be found and can eliminate the risk. Many hospitals have invested and are currently using this technology. The key is to have every item tagged with and RFID chip. BD

A dozen years after Pamela Jones had surgery on her right knee, the White Plains, Md., woman learned why the pain continued long after the wound had healed: A doctor left a 2-inch scalpel blade inside her leg.

Medical litter: Device debris poses serious risk - Health care- msnbc.com