Adverse events related to foreign body retention

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26694/reufpi.v14i1.6364

Keywords:

Near miss, healthcare, Time out, healthcare, Sentinel surveillance, Patient safety, Guideline adherence

Abstract

Objective: to analyze events related to foreign body retention recorded in a healthcare institution and to describe the process of reformulating the prevention protocol. Methodology: observational, descriptive, and retrospective study based on all adverse event notifications between 2021 and 2022. The outcomes of the change in the institutional protocol on the incidence of foreign body retention in a large, private, philanthropic hospital were analyzed. Data were extracted and analyzed with a focus on notified adverse events, observing possible changes in the number of occurrences after the implementation of the new protocol. Results: in the year 2021, 14,370 surgical procedures were performed, with four cases of retention notified, a rate of 0.02%. In the year 2022, 17,920 surgical procedures were performed, with five cases of retention, maintaining the same rate of 0.02%. The cases involved needles, gauzes, and instruments, without evidence of reduction after the implementation of the new protocol. Conclusion: despite the low incidence observed, retention is an adverse event with serious consequences for patients and significant losses for institutions. It is essential to carefully analyze the causes of failure to adhere to the protocol and invest in continuous training to strengthen safety culture.

Author Biographies

Luiza Carraco Palos, Hospital Sírio-Libanês

Nurse. Master in Health Sciences from the Syrian-Lebanese Institute of Education and Research. Senior Nurse at the Surgical Center of the Syrian-Lebanese Hospital. São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

Evelyn Scarpioni Kageyama, Hospital Sírio-Libanês

Nurse. Specialization in Preceptorship in the SUS by the Syrian-Lebanese Institute of Education and Research. Nurse of the Corporate Education of the Syrian-Lebanese Hospital. São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

Cristiane Dias Espindola, Hospital Sírio-Libanês

Nurse. Specialist in Surgical Center, Anesthetic Recovery and Material and Sterilization Center at Hospital Albert Einstein. Full Nurse at the Surgical Center of Hospital Sírio-Libanês. São Paulo. São Paulo, Brazil.

Leticia Costa Rinaldi, Hospital Sírio-Libanês

Nurse. MBA in health management from the São Camilo University Center. Full-time nurse at the Surgical Center of the Sírio-Libanês Hospital. São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

Renata Peixoto Correa, Hospital Sírio-Libanês

Nurse. MBA in health management from the São Camilo University Center. Senior Nurse at the Surgical Center of the Sírio-Libanês Hospital. São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

Cristina Silva Sousa, Hospital Sírio-Libanês

Hospital Sírio-Libanês. São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil.

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Published

2025-09-10

How to Cite

1.
Palos LC, Kageyama ES, Espindola CD, Rinaldi LC, Correa RP, Sousa CS. Adverse events related to foreign body retention. Rev Enferm UFPI [Internet]. 2025 Sep. 10 [cited 2025 Dec. 14];14(1). Available from: https://periodicos.ufpi.br/index.php/reufpi/article/view/6364

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