Cotton buds, gauze and forceps are some of the medical tools forgotten 291 times by patients undergoing surgery in the UK in the last two years alone. The number provided by the news agency BP meanHighest recorded in last 20 years.
The list of foreign objects also includes drills and scalpels, which can remain in the patient’s body for days, months, or years, until they are identified and undergo a new operation. At the turn of the millennium, in 2001/02, 156 of these episodes occurred, with the lowest number recorded in 2003/04 when 138 cases were reported.
It is unclear whether injured patients were cared for in British public health system (NHS) units or in a private hospital, but the analysis did BP mean Such cases have been reported when the NHS is under pressure to deal with large numbers of patients.
A 49-year-old woman from East London woke up after having surgery to remove her uterus and felt “something” in her stomach. It is part of the blade used in surgery. The removal, followed by re-surgery, required an additional two-week hospital stay.
“Unfortunately, we continue to see cases of material being left behind after surgery, resulting in patients being readmitted to the hospital and having to undergo a second surgery,” lament Emmalene Bushnell and Kriya Hurley, two patient advocates. The joint report underscores the risk of contagion and psychological trauma.
To avoid these episodes, hospitals follow a strict procedure that includes checklists and frequent counts of surgical supplies. Leaving an object inside a patient after surgery is classed by the NHS as a ‘never-occurring event’, meaning the incident is serious enough that it shouldn’t have happened.
Its spokesperson spoke to PA Media National Health Service said: “Thanks to the hard work of NHS staff, incidents like this are rare. However, when they do happen, the NHS is keen to learn from them to improve care for future patients.
Henry Blackwell is a contributor at Mediarunsearch.co.uk, covering a wide range of topics including news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment, and lifestyle. He focuses on delivering clear, balanced reporting and useful information that helps readers stay informed about current events and emerging developments. His work highlights stories that matter to everyday audiences, with an emphasis on accuracy, relevance, and accessible journalism.