“Unintended retentions of a foreign object after surgery (e.g. sponge, needle, and instrument) (URFO) remain the sentinel events most frequently reported to The Joint
Commission (TJC). Although these events have happened in other invasive procedures, URFOs are estimated to occur in 1:5500 surgeries. These serious adverse events have resulted in patient harm involving reoperation, readmission/prolonged hospital stay, infection or sepsis, fistulas/ bowel obstructions, visceral perforation, and death.”