AORN updates RSI guidelines

Editor's Note

At the 2022 AORN Global Surgical Conference and Expo last week, AORN announced an update to its retained surgical items (RSI) guidance in a session presentation titled, “RSI Guideline, Update 2022,” led by Julie Cahn, DNP, RN, CNOR, RN-BC, ACNS-BC, CNS-CP, AORN senior perioperative practice specialist.

This marks the 7^th revision since the guideline’s 1976 publication. Among the revisions are:

• title change: the guideline is now called Guideline for Prevention of Unintentionally Retained Surgical Items
• conditional recommendation to add counts at designated intervals during long procedures
• recommendation to include the vagina in post-procedure methodical wound exploration for procedures in which the vagina is entered
• recommendation to use a pocketed sponge holder with a background that contrasts to sponges in color
• recommendation to use a “read-back method” for communicating the number of needles added to the sterile field and the number of needles recorded on the count board during the procedure
• recommendation to count instruments for all procedures involving an open body cavity
• recommendation to use an adjunct technology device to detect the location of surgical soft goods or verify the outcome of manual counting
• recommendation to use adjunct technology even when the count is correct

Visit the AORN Center of Excellence in Surgical Safety: Prevention of RSI page for complimentary education and more recommendations. And for OR Manager coverage of RSI issues, visit our RSI Series page.