Imperial orders further audit of 'retained swabs' after surgery

Minutes of the June board meeting said: “The incidence of retained swabs [was] discussed. An external review was commissioned last year and recommendations implemented.

“Further retained swabs had occurred after this period and additional improvement actions had been implemented. The policy has been reissued and surgeon’s responsibility for ensuring the swab count is correct has been made clearer.

“A World Health Organisation Safer Surgery audit indicated 92 per cent compliance, which the trust does not consider good enough. [Chief executive] Mark Davies added that a further audit will be undertaken and any instances of non-compliance will be dealt with directly.”