Count Discrepancies in the Operating Room: A Retrospective Chart Review.

BACKGROUND: The surgical count is an important part of the surgical procedure and helps to prevent retained surgical items. This retrospective chart review examines risk factors for count discrepancies. METHODS: We reviewed count documentation of surgical procedures (n=92,571) for 5 years between January 2019 and December 2023 at an academic medical center. RESULTS: There was a notable higher percentage of cases with incorrect counts when the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification is 4 or 5, more than one primary surgeon, 2 or more assisting surgeons, 4 or 5 circulating nurses, 3 or more scrub persons, longer OR time, and cases classified as add-on/urgent/emergent. CONCLUSIONS: Findings may assist leaders in developing strategies to mitigate risk factors for a count discrepancy.