Patient safety is paramount in healthcare, and one of the most concerning risks is the retention of surgical items post-operation, known as Retained Surgical Items (RSIs). RSIs can lead to severe complications, extended hospital stays, additional surgeries, and even fatalities. Sentinel events in 2019 ranked RSI incidents as the top concern according to the Patient Safety in Surgery Journal. To address this, hospitals continuously seek innovative solutions to enhance patient safety.
Over the past two decades, policy changes and technological advancements have aimed to minimize RSI events in the operating room. Recent developments include the integration of video technology with AI-driven cameras and analytic systems. These technologies play a vital role in reducing RSI incidents, improving patient outcomes, and mitigating legal risks.
RSIs, also known as "sponge counts" or "surgical souvenirs," occur when surgical instruments or sponges are inadvertently left inside a patient's body after surgery. Despite rigorous prevention efforts, such incidents still occur. However, RSIs are considered never events, entirely preventable with strict protocols and procedures in place. Hospitals employ various technologies, such as barcoding and radiofrequency tagging of surgical items, along with manual counting processes, to minimize risks.
Patients who experience an RSI may suffer from infections, organ damage, and severe pain, often requiring additional surgeries and increasing healthcare costs. For healthcare providers, RSI incidents can lead to litigation, financial penalties, and damage to reputation.
Data-driven video technology, including open-platform Video Management Software (VMS), plays a crucial role in preventing RSI incidents. It enables real-time monitoring of surgical procedures, detection of anomalies, predictive analytics, creation of detailed audit trails, and ensures compliance with procedures. By streamlining instrument tracking and inventory management, hospitals can enhance operational efficiency and reduce surgical delays.
Moreover, advanced tracking systems may reduce hospital liability by demonstrating proactive measures to prevent RSI incidents. By integrating AI cameras and analytics into a unified system, hospitals can observe, detect, and respond to situations quickly, thus optimizing patient outcomes and creating a safer surgical environment. While the use of video technology for this purpose is relatively new, it holds significant potential to enhance patient safety and reduce surgical complications in the future.
