STANDARDS AND PRACTICE
This reference book is what operating room nurses refer to on surgical count management.
What is the ORNAC standards and guidelines?
These absorbent items come in different shapes and sizes.
What are sponges? (laparotomy sponges, peanuts, 4x8s)
Gallbladder, right angle, Mixter, Louer.
What are the different names for right angle clamps?
This type of count is done for minimally invasive or laparoscopic procedures.
What is a full or major count?
What is permanent, blue or black, pen?
This HUB document is what THP staff and professional staff refer to for organizational clinical practices and medical directives.
What are the Policy and Procedures?
These items come in sizes 10, 11, 15, and 20.
What are scalpel blades?
This forcep is used for prep sponges.
What are ring forceps or sponge sticks?
These small, rubber-like items are counted in MIS cases.
What are plugs, caps, or washers?
Whiteout/correction fluid or excessive cross-outs.
What are unacceptable ways to correct errors on a count sheet?
Prevention of Retained Surgical Items.
What is the name of the THP Policy and Procedure for surgical count management?
You would think these items belong in a pencil case rather than on your sterile table.
What is a marker and ruler?
Balfour, Weitlander, Gelpi, Thompson
What are types of self-retaining retractors?
Endoscopic long instruments and trocars are counted/recorded as this on the count sheet.
What is counted as one functional unit?
According to ORNAC standards this is the standard method/direction to begin closing counts.
What is Sterile Field, Mayo Stand, Back Table, Any Items Removed from the Sterile Field?
This American reference book is another source of information on surgical counts.
What is the AORN standards and guidelines?
All sponges on the sterile field must be this.
What is radiopaque?
Over time this will happen to instruments if exposed to normal saline.
What is pitting?
This type of final count is needed if the procedure remains laparoscopic.
What is a minor count?
You will need another one of these if you have more than one surgical table set-up.
What is another separate count sheet?
This is the latest edition of the ORNAC standards.
What is the 16th edition, 2023?
These types of screws are not counted.
What are fixed or non-adjusted screws?
Poole, Frazier, Yankauer, Killian
What are types of suction tips?
This type of count is required when closing, when an extension of a port site (use of a wound protector) is used.
What is a full count?
In Epic documentation, the circulating nurse only documents this count.
What is the Final Count?