Effectiveness of a radiofrequency detection system as an adjunct to manual counting protocols for tracking surgical sponges: a prospective trial of 2,285 patients.

Background: Despite rigorous manual counting protocols and the classification of retained surgical items (RSIs) as potential "never events," RSIs continue to occur in approximately 1 per 1,000 to 18,000 operations. This study's goals were to evaluate the incorporation of a radiofrequency detection system (RFDS) into existing laparotomy sponge- and Raytec-counting protocols for the detection of RSIs and define associated risk factors.

Study Design: All patients undergoing surgery at the University of North Carolina Hospitals from September 2009 to August 2010 were enrolled consecutively.

Translational ethics: a perspective for the new millennium.

Modern medical care is increasingly dependent on the application of science to clinical practice, which occurs through clinical or translational research. We propose the concept of translational ethics, which incorporates the contributions of research codes of ethics that involve the protection of human subjects into the ethics of clinical practice. The modern research environment, which has contributed the scientific tools of modern medicine, has also framed the ethical environment in which medicine is practiced.