News & Resources

Retained Surgical Items: When the Count Is Correct but the System Still Fails

April 2, 2026

4 mins

Retained Surgical Items: When the Count Is Correct but the System Still Fails

Retained surgical items remain one of the most serious and preventable risks in modern healthcare. A COUNT WAS COMPLETED. THE…

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NatSSIPs 2, Where Policy Meets Reality

January 14, 2026

4 mins

NatSSIPs 2, Where Policy Meets Reality

This article was reviewed for technical accuracy and clarity by Dr Nigel Roberts, Associate Divisional Director, with a keen interest…

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From Never Events to Never Again: How iCount Is Reinventing Surgical Safety

October 23, 2025

3 mins

From Never Events to Never Again: How iCount Is Reinventing Surgical Safety

Retained surgical swabs remain one of healthcare’s most preventable Never Events.Even with decades of safety protocols and manual counting, incidents…

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Never Events in Healthcare: Why the NHS is Reviewing the Term

September 25, 2025

4 mins

Never Events in Healthcare: Why the NHS is Reviewing the Term

Editors Note The NHS Never Events consultation took place from February to May 2024. It has now closed and NHS…

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The Hidden Toll: Retained Swab After Childbirth Laura Fleming’s Story, and What Must Change

September 11, 2025

2 mins

The Hidden Toll: Retained Swab After Childbirth Laura Fleming’s Story, and What Must Change

Childbirth should be joyous. For Laura Fleming, it became the start of an avoidable nightmare. In this conversation, Laura describes…

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Preventing Retained Surgical Swabs: A Surgeon’s Perspective

September 1, 2025

2 mins

Preventing Retained Surgical Swabs: A Surgeon’s Perspective

Retained surgical swabs remain a serious risk despite checklists and protocols. In this interview, a paediatric surgeon shares why these…

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Never Means Never: Why Retained Swabs Must Be Eliminated from Maternity Care

August 26, 2025

3 mins

Never Means Never: Why Retained Swabs Must Be Eliminated from Maternity Care

When we talk about Never Events in healthcare, the word “never” is not a suggestion. It should be a promise.…

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Second Victims in the Operating Theatre: What the New 2025 Data Means for Retained-Swab Prevention

August 12, 2025

3 mins

Second Victims in the Operating Theatre: What the New 2025 Data Means for Retained-Swab Prevention

Second victims in the operating theatre are often overlooked in patient safety discussions. When retained surgical swabs occur, the impact…

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Why Swab Counting Errors Cost More Than You Think, And How to Fix It

July 14, 2025

3 mins

Why Swab Counting Errors Cost More Than You Think, And How to Fix It

Introduction Swab counting isn’t considered among the most exciting topic in healthcare. But it’s one of those behind-the-scenes processes that…

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Creating Safer Workflows: The Human-Centric Approach to Swab Counting

June 21, 2025

4 mins

Creating Safer Workflows: The Human-Centric Approach to Swab Counting

In the fast-paced, high-pressure environment of an operating theatre or maternity ward, patient safety is always the top priority. Yet,…

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