The study, “Sensitivity of Detection of Radiofrequency Surgical Sponges: a Prospective, Cross-Over Study,” included data from 210 subjects at an academic medical center and a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs medical center.

Results found that RF technology is superior to the reported accuracy of intra-operative radiography and has greater sensitivity than manual surgical counting. A total of 840 readings were completed, with 404 of the readings taken from morbidly obese subjects. Of the 840 readings, there were no incorrect readings.

“Surgical count discrepancies can occur as often as one out of eight surgical cases, and sponges are more difficult to find in morbidly obese patients,” said Victoria M. Steelman, PhD, RN., member of the Board of Directors of Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) and lead author of the study. “As adjunctive technology to prevent retained surgical items is increasingly being used in the OR, it is important to ensure the specificity and sensitivity of the technology on all patients, including more challenging cases of those with higher BMI. Radio-frequency detection technology is a valuable check-and-balance for ensuring the prevention of RSI during bariatric procedures.”