Oxford University surgical lectures: Retained swabs

Summary

Dr Clare Dollery reflects on a retained swab 'never event' in Churchill Hospital theatres. Incidents, such as operating on the wrong body part or leaving instruments inside patients are categorised by the Department of Health as 'never events'.

Dr Dollery is Oxford University Hospital's Deputy Medical Director. The Surgical Grand Rounds lecture series, hosted by the Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences at Oxford University, is the key educational meeting for consultants, juniors and medical students. Presentations revolve around clinical cases.