Two, four, six, eight….Stop and count before it is too late! How a simple audit on swab, needle and instrument counts in the Operating Room led to improved quality and patient safety.

Patient safety is one of the most pressing challenges in health care. Jackson and Brady (2008) suggest that retention of swabs and instruments following surgery may occur as often as 1 in 100 procedures. Theatre nurses are the... [ view full abstract ]

Patient safety is one of the most pressing challenges in health care. Jackson and Brady (2008) suggest that retention of swabs and instruments following surgery may occur as often as 1 in 100 procedures. Theatre nurses are the core care providers in the perioperative environment. The use of audit can ensure our care is continually improving and has the potential to make huge improvements in patient safety (Thomas 2011).
Aims and Objectives:
• To determine if current practice is adhering to the recommended guidelines regarding swab, needle and instrument counts on patients admitted to the operating room for abdominal surgery
Methodology
This concurrent audit was undertaken by the Clinical Nurse
Manager 2 in the General Operating Theatre over a 4 week period.
Data was collected on 30 surgical procedures.
Findings indicated failings in the count process and a breakdown in communication within the multi disciplinary team. On completion of the audit the findings were presented to the Multi-Disciplinary Team. It was also presented orally at the local annual clinical audit conference and won second prize. It was then presented nationally at the annual Operating Department Nurses conference where it won an award nationally. It was submitted for publication and was accepted in the journal for perioperative practice. It was published in the July issue. There has been no count discrepancy in the Operating Room within the last six months. This audit highlighted the need for an increased awareness about local policy, national and international guidelines. The benefits of audit include ensuring the delivery of safe, high quality care. (Cooper and Hewison, 2002). It leads to improved teamwork and communication among colleagues (Ward, 2003). It can help to demonstrate the profession's contribution to patient care (Morrell and Harvey, 1999)..