ClearCount Launches the SmartSponge Flex Surgical Sponge System
ClearCount Medical Solutions, a leader in patient safety solutions, announced on March 21 that it has updated its existing platform and launched the SmartSponge® Flex, a new addition to the SmartSponge family of products. The SmartSponge Flex provides ClearCount’s clinically preferred and patented RFID technology in a new cost-effective and compact package.
The SmartSponge Flex provides a dedicated basin for sponge accounting during surgery. Positioned next to the surgical field, it automatically reconciles the sponge count throughout the procedure – no tedious bar code reading or sponge handling during the out count is required. Its superior design both improves OR productivity and ease-of-use for staff. Latest product enhancements include:
• Ergonomic design keeps everything within reach for improved staff satisfaction
• Easy access to data ports on the back of the unit for convenient data download
• Complete electronic record of all cases, for traceability and management reporting
• High tech construction features seamless design and antimicrobial protection for the life of the device
ClearCount’s Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) based platform is the only technology available that provides true closed-loop reconciliation of the sponge count. All equipment and RFID tags are validated before use in each case. During surgery, sponges are individually tracked from the initial check-in through the out count. When called upon, the detection wand assists to quickly locate missing sponges. To date, this counting and detection approach has made retained sponges a true “Never Event” in all operating rooms where ClearCount’s technology has been implemented. Further distinguishing ClearCount is our industry-first $2M Never Event Warranty. For many, this additional assurance makes the choice of using ClearCount technology even more clear.
Using manual procedures, retained surgical items are estimated to occur in one of every 1,500 open abdominal / chest procedures, leading to additional surgeries, unnecessary costs, serious infections and even death. For the second year in a row, retained surgical items were the leading Sentinel Event reported to the Joint Commission, which accredits hospitals in the United States. The number of reported retained surgical items grew over 40% from 2010 to 2011, illustrating that this issue remains a pervasive challenge for hospitals across the country. ClearCount customers’ track record of not a single retained sponge incident report since product introduction provides compelling evidence in favor of using RFID technology to help reduce this risk.
To see a video of how the SmartSponge Flex enhances patient safety and productivity in the OR, visit http://clearcount.com/products/smartsponge-flex.
About ClearCount Medical Solutions
ClearCount Medical Solutions is a leader in bringing innovative patient safety technology into operating rooms around the world. ClearCount’s award-winning RFID-based SmartSponge platform provides a complete solution, preventing dangerous retained sponges during surgery by individually identifying each sponge for superior count reconciliation and detection. The SmartSponge technology enhances existing counting protocols, confirming results and detecting/accounting for missing sponges to enhance productivity and improve patient safety. To learn more, visit www.clearcount.com.