The goal of this independent study program is to provide guidance to members of the perioperative team on measures for preventing and reducing the occurrence of retained surgical items in patients undergoing operative or other invasive procedures.

Upon completion of this activity, the participant should be able to:

• Describe strategies to decrease the occurrence of retained surgical items
• Identify best practices to account for soft goods, sharps, and instruments used for operative or other invasive procedures
• Outline identified risk factors for a retained surgical item event