Safety: Create Your Own Count Board

• Streamlined choices. One criticism of the inpatient standardized count worksheet was the number of items listed. As a result, the staff determined which items were to be printed on the board and which service-specific items could be noted on magnets and added to the board when needed. The pre-printed items included standard items used frequently such as laps/Raytec sponges, blades, suture and Bovie tips. The staff then listed the additional, service-specific items such as rubber bands, drill bits and dura hooks that would be noted on magnets. These items could then be added to the board for counts when they're on the field, but wouldn't clutter the board when not in use. (The magnets were created with magnetic tape and a label printer.). These magnets were placed on a separate board that's hung adjacent to the count board for easy access if they're needed.
• Clear visibility. Once the design of the board was complete, we decided to hang it in each OR on a wall adjacent to the sterile field, so it's easily visible during procedures. It was important that the board hang in a location where it could be easily used during all counts, and visible to all disciplines throughout the procedure.
• Added versatility. We created the dry erase board by printing item categories on a piece of paper that was slid behind a clear plastic covering. That way, the board can be easily altered; if a new item needed to be added, the board could be updated by printing the new template and inserting it behind the plastic. This prevents having to replace the entire board or remove it from the wall when changes need to be made.

The custom count boards were so successful in our facility that we introduced them to three other surgery centers in our health system. Thanks to our in-house project, we now have a standardized approach across all facilities for conducting counts and preventing retained objects. OSM