Fatin Shadab
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Research Mentor(s): Rama Musalia
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Department of Learning Health Sciences / Medicine
Program:
Authors:
Session: Session 7: 4:40 pm – 5:30 pm
Poster: 43
Abstract
Retained Surgical Items (RSIs) constitute a critical class of never-events within healthcare, exerting profound repercussions on patients, providers, and healthcare institutions. Despite intensified efforts, these incidents persist as the foremost sentinel event annually. Notably, hard foreign bodies such as surgical sharps have witnessed a notable uptick in total RSI occurrences over the past decade, yet scholarly attention towards this subset remains scarce. The retention of surgical foreign bodies within anatomical cavities precipitates a spectrum of complications ranging from aseptic inflammation to severe infections, illnesses, and, tragically, fatalities. The National Center of Biotechnology Information (NCBI) underscores the considerable apprehension surrounding post-procedural retention of surgical items, amplifying the complexity confronting surgeons and healthcare facilities. My research undertakes a systematic review with a specific focus on hard RSIs, elucidating their distinctive challenges, ramifications, and avenues for prevention and management. In the realm of Risk Management and Mitigation , as a mechanical engineer, I embark on a multifaceted approach. This strategy integrates process enhancement initiatives with time management methodologies to curtail surgical errors. By instituting standardized operating protocols, surgeons can circumvent errors and uphold the delivery of high-quality healthcare to patients. Leveraging insights from implementation science, encompassing socio-economic determinants, behavioral economics, and human system integration, alongside engineering analytical prowess, I undertake the development of a comprehensive process development chart. This tool delineates a systematic framework illustrating process refinement and enhancement in the surgical domain, thereby fostering advancements in data quality and procedural efficiency.
