Using Radiofrequency Technology to Prevent Retained Sponges and Improve Patient Outcomes.

Retained items (eg, sponges, sharps) after surgical procedures are reportable errors that can result in patient harm or death and increased patient and health care system costs. Perioperative use of radiofrequency (RF) technology may decrease the number of retained sponges and reduce hospital costs. We sought to determine whether the use of RF technology may be associated with fewer retained sponges, improved patient outcomes, and decreased hospital costs.

Enumerating the causes and burden of first case operating room delays.

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify the frequency, causes and estimated cost of first case operating room (OR) delays.

Method: A quarterly prospective review of the first cases in the OR was completed in 2018. The frequency and causes for delays were determined.

Development of droplet digital PCR for the detection of Babesia microti and Babesia duncani.

Babesia spp. are obligate protozoan parasites of red blood cells. Transmission to humans occurs through bites from infected ticks or blood transfusion.

Evidence for a previously unrecognized mycobacterial endosymbiont in Acanthamoeba castellanii strain Ma (ATCC ® 50370 ™).

We describe the isolation of a mycobacterium from Acanthamoeba castellanii strain Ma (ATCC(®) 50370(™)). The mycobacterium resides within vacuoles of A. castellanii, can be cultured by routine methodologies, and is a member of the Mycobacterium avium complex.