Final answer:
The count procedure for sponges, needles, and instruments is a collaborative effort typically involving the scrub person, RN circulator, and the surgeon. All team members play a role in ensuring the accuracy of the count as part of surgical safety protocols.Hence, option D. all the above is the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The count procedure for sponges, needles, and instruments during a surgical operation is implemented by several members of the surgical team. To maintain surgical safety and prevent retained surgical items, the process is a collaborative effort. According to the typical protocols in the operating room:
- The scrub person is often responsible for keeping an initial count and ensuring that all items are accounted for throughout the surgery.
- The RN circulator assists by reviewing the counts and helping with the final verification to ensure no items are missing.
- While the surgeon may not directly count, they are responsible for maintaining an awareness of the count status and facilitating a safe surgical environment.
It is important to note that all surgical team members have a role in ensuring the accuracy of the count. This process is a part of the overall surgical safety protocol to prevent unintentional retention of surgical items. The nurse typically reviews the counts aloud with the team, confirming that the needle, sponge, and instrument counts are complete and that any specimens are correctly labeled.