Interventions for the Prevention of Retained Surgical Items: A Systematic Review
Issued Date
2022-02-01
Resource Type
ISSN
03642313
eISSN
14322323
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85119012960
Pubmed ID
34773133
Journal Title
World Journal of Surgery
Volume
46
Issue
2
Start Page
370
End Page
381
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
World Journal of Surgery Vol.46 No.2 (2022) , 370-381
Suggested Citation
Sirihorachai R. Interventions for the Prevention of Retained Surgical Items: A Systematic Review. World Journal of Surgery Vol.46 No.2 (2022) , 370-381. 381. doi:10.1007/s00268-021-06370-3 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/86182
Title
Interventions for the Prevention of Retained Surgical Items: A Systematic Review
Author(s)
Author's Affiliation
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Background: Retained surgical items (RSI) are preventable error events. Interest in reducing RSI is increasing globally because of increasing demand for safe surgery. While research of interventions to prevent RSI have been reported, no rigorous analysis of the type and effectiveness of interventions exists. This systematic review examines (1) what types of intervention have been implemented to prevent RSI; and (2) what is the effectiveness of those interventions. Methods: We performed a systematic review of PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov, Mednar, and OpenGrey databases. Two reviewers independently screened a total of 1,792 titles and abstracts, and reviewed 87 full-text articles, resulting in 17 articles in the final analysis. Study characteristics included qualitative and quantitative studies that examined the effectiveness of RSI prevention interventions for adult patients who undergo open surgery. The primary outcome was RSI and related error events. Results: Four studies and 13 quality improvement projects described RSI interventions categorized into four groups: (1) technology-based, (2) communication-based, (3) practice- or guideline-based, (4) interventions that fell into more than one category. Following guidance in the Quality Improvement minimum quality criteria set, the quality of all studies ranged from poor to fair. Heterogeneity in the interventions used and variable study quality limit our confidence in the interventions’ ability to reduce RSI. Conclusion: Since technology-based interventions may not be financially feasible in low and middle-income countries (LMIC), in those settings interventions that target the social system may be more appropriate. Rigorous methods to investigate local contexts and build knowledge are needed so that interventions to prevent RSI have a greater likelihood of success.