Use of a Supplemental Radiofrequency Detection System Subsequent to Manual Counting of Vaginal Textiles Following Vaginal Birth: A Prospective Effectiveness and Efficiency Study For Sponge Tracking

This study proposes to evaluate the FDA-approved Radio Frequency Surgical Detection System (RFDS) as a non-radiological means to ease the process of detecting retained sponges and reconciling sponge counts in the labor and delivery room (following vaginal birth). It would not replace any of the current standard-of-care safety mechanisms already in place at the study site to prevent retained sponges. All safeguards remain enforced: counting, visual inspection, and x-rays if indicated by standard protocol. The system being studied involves the surgeon scanning the subject's vaginal area using a spherical device placed 1cm above the symphysis pubis. This static scan will serve to detect any retained cotton textiles within the vaginal cavity after birth. This Verisphere, a reusable device, is encased in a sterile sheath during use. It does not come into direct contact with the subject's vagina, but hovers above the pelvic/vaginal region. If any radio-frequency tagged sponges remain inside the subject, a signal alerts the surgical team to remove them. The visible console displays a confirmation code once the scan is complete. This confirmation code is kept as part of the medical record once absence of retained textiles is confirmed. Once the provider is assured there is no retained item, the same device may be used to scan trash receptacles to locate a missing textile if the pre- and post-delivery sponge/gauze count remains incongruent. This alleviates the need for the assistant personnel to manually "dig" through soiled materials for sponge localization.