Objects Retained in Patients After Surgery…Often?

June 27th marks the last day that an object was retained in a patient at a certain large, well-known, and internationally-acclaimed hospital in Rochester, MN. Yep, this hospital, that will remain unnamed, has a sign posted in an employee-only portion of their operating room similar to those seen at construction sites that usually state the days without a work-related injury at the job site (or something to that effect) fully equipped with velcro numbers for someone to change each day: “82 Days Since an Object Last Retained in a Patient.” 82 days?! It might just be me, and my 2 co-workers with me at the time, but this doesn’t seem like a very long time; definitely not a length of time to be posting with such approbation.

I wanted to take a picture of this sign, but there were always too many people around. I figured it would be looked down upon, and definitely track-able, as my LIFESOURCE CONTRACTOR badge could be seen from several blocks.

Anyways, this brought me to check out a some different stats on hospitals throughout Minnesota, and how this rate compares to other surgery centers, as I am having surgery on Thursday. Let’s just say that I’m sticking with my choice of Fairview Southdale. Hopefully I don’t become their second reportable instance in 4 years (as opposed to 9 that can be claimed by the aforementioned nameless facility with a similar number of procedures…).