On April 30, 2012
Retained surgical sponges in patients are one of the most frequent and most costly surgical errors among hospitals, as well as the most commonly reported.
Each year hospital infections add an estimated $30.5 billion to the nation’s hospital costs, according to the Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths. More than 100,000 deaths occur each year from preventable hospital infections, according to The Institute of Medicine. That number is more than the yearly deaths from AIDS, breast cancer and auto accidents combined.
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On April 27, 2012
Thousands of surgical sponges are left in patients every year. A new SmartSponge System is being used in Los Angeles to prevent sponges from being left behind through a scanning system. Dr. Bruce Hensel reports for the NBC4 News at 5 p.m. on April 26, 2012. Continue reading →
On April 26, 2012
Vendors as far as the eye could see highlighted equipment and offered workshops for OR nurses. Continue reading →
On August 4, 2011
Truth is x-rays can lie.
X-rays and manual counting are the methods used today for keeping track of surgical sponges during surgery. But the retained surgical sponge is an error that occurs over 4,000 times annually in the United States.
A Pittsburgh startup company founded by graduates of Carnegie Mellon University is reducing that risk in the operating room. How?
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On August 2, 2011
Nobody’s perfect…everyone makes mistakes…live and learn. All true. However, some mistakes are more costly and have more severe consequences than others.
Mistakes made in a typical office environment, whether clerical, financial or otherwise, may result in business inefficiencies, product shipping or delivery snafus or even lost sales or profits. But the consequences of mistakes made in the operating room can be much more serious.
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On July 29, 2011
Patient safety event-reporting systems are found in all hospitals and are a mainstay of efforts to detect potentially critical events and quality problems. Initial reports usually come from the personnel directly involved in an event or the actions leading up to it, such as the nurse or physician caring for a patient when an error occurred, rather than management or patient safety professionals.
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On March 22, 2011
It’s no secret that health care is a major player in southwestern Pennsylvania’s economy. Downtown commuters get a reminder each morning when they see the letters of the region’s largest employer, UPMC, mounted near the top of the city’s tallest building.
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On August 31, 2010
Radio-frequency ID tags are often used to keep track of vehicle fleets, inventory and cargo being shipped around the world. But a Pittsburgh company is developing the technology to keep track of a much smaller area: the confines of the … Continue reading →
On
ClearCount Medical Solutions has received $5 million in a round of Series B funding led by Draper Triangle Ventures and Smithfield Trust. The company developed an FDA-approved device that uses radio frequency identification technology to track surgical sponges. The money … Continue reading →
On August 27, 2010
Citybizlist reported this week that ClearCount Medical Solutions, Inc., Pittsburgh-based developers of a system to detect surgical sponges, has tallied $15 million in equity financing. The company’s signature product uses a microchip to help surgical staff find sponges that are … Continue reading →
On August 10, 2010
ClearCount Medical Solutions (http://www.clearcount.com) and Medline Industries, Inc. (http://www.medline.com/) today announced that their newest customers, the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare system, will help prevent retained surgical sponge incidents with the use of the SmartSponge System@ (http://www.medline.com/programs/clear-count-smartsponge-system/) . The SmartSponge System is … Continue reading →
On July 30, 2010
ClearCount Medical Solutions and CNA HealthPro are working together to expand their insurance policy to provide both the dollar amount and types of expenses covered under ClearCount’s Never Event Warranty program. ClearCount offers hospitals coverage for a wide variety of … Continue reading →
On July 28, 2010
Earlier this month, new studies indicated that being admitted to the hospital in July may increase the duration of a patient’s stay in the hospital and increase a patient’s risk of death. A study by researchers from the University of … Continue reading →
On July 22, 2010
For most people, sponges are wonderful, extremely useful inventions. They are absorbent, last forever and above all, hold up against the toughest cleaning challenges. So it may seem surprising that, in the world of surgery, nothing prevents a clean, sterile … Continue reading →
On July 7, 2010
How RFID offers patients direct benefits in healthcare. RFID Connections spoke with Steve Fleck, chief technology officer for ClearCount Medical Solutions about ways RFID can improve the patient experience in a healthcare setting and how RFID can help ensure successful … Continue reading →
On June 17, 2010
For me, the best way of defining a “Eureka” moment is when the idea or concept is realized; it seems so simple and elegant in hindsight that it’s hard to imagine why it wasn’t obvious to begin with. Our team … Continue reading →
On June 16, 2010
ClearCount Medical Solutions, an innovator of patient safety solutions for the operating room, announced today that it is accepting registrations for a chance to win an iPad, during its “Time Out to Share” campaign. This promotion applauds the Association of … Continue reading →
On June 6, 2010
ClearCount Medical Solutions, an innovator of patient safety solutions for the operating room, announced that it is accepting registrations for a chance to win an iPad, during its “Time Out to Share” campaign. This promotion applauds the Association of periOperative … Continue reading →
On May 6, 2010
ClearCount Medical Solutions Inc. raised $1.1 million in the first tranche of a Series B funding round it hopes will total $5 million. The funding was detailed in a regulatory filing and confirmed by CFO Dave Haffner. The company plans … Continue reading →
On
ClearCount Medical Solutions Inc. has raised $1.1 million for a Series B round of investment funding that the company hopes will total $5 million. The funding was detailed in a regulatory filing and confirmed by CFO Dave Haffner. The company … Continue reading →
On May 5, 2010
What better place to celebrate Innovation Works’ 10 year milestone than McKesson Automated Healthcare in Cranberry, a company that Rich Lunak helped shape into a supplier of robotic hospital pharmacies 22 years ago? An early recipient of funds from IW, … Continue reading →
On April 26, 2010
Despite the challenging economy, medical devices, particularly surgical instruments, are still wending their way to market and investors are still biting. “Certainly, funding for these kinds of things has been down for the last couple of years, but I think … Continue reading →
On April 1, 2010
Hey, do you have anything cheaper? Four smart ways to go downmarket without tarnishing your brand. Consumers and businesses have tighter budgets these days, and coaxing them to shell out for high-end products has become a challenge for entrepreneurs. Some, … Continue reading →
On March 31, 2010
Despite the challenging economy, medical devices, particularly surgical instruments, are still wending their way to market and investors are still biting. “Certainly, funding for these kinds of things has been down for the last couple of years, but I think … Continue reading →
On March 9, 2010
Sponge-safety company ClearCount Medical Solutions has hired a new chief financial officer. In his new role, David Haffner will oversee the day-to-day financial operations of the company and will be responsible for its financial strategy, according to a statement from … Continue reading →
On March 1, 2010
With the wave of a wand or the scan of a bar code, you can count and validate surgical sponges faster and more accurately than doing so by hand. Today’s high-tech products not only remove the tedium of counting sponges, … Continue reading →
On
ClearCount Medical Solutions introduces a new way to prevent retained surgical sponges. Exclusively distributed by Medline Industries, the SmartWand-DTX system is an RFID-based solution that allows hospitals a low-cost way to begin the prevention of retained sponges, on a platform … Continue reading →
On
Medline Industries Inc. has been named the exclusive distributor for the SmartWand-DTXTM and SmartSponge® System, the only FDA-cleared systems using radiofrequency identification to both count and locate surgical sponges. The systems, created by ClearCount Medical Solutions, use a technology featuring … Continue reading →
On February 24, 2010
System Helps Prevent Retained Surgical Sponges ClearCount Medical Solutions, an innovator of patient safety solutions for the operating room, has received 510(k) clearance from the FDA to begin commercialization of its SmartWand-DTX system. According to the company, the system is … Continue reading →
On February 4, 2010
ClearCount Medical Solutions, a Pittsburgh-based company focused on improving surgical safety, has announced it has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its SmartWand-DTX handheld device, an RFID-enabled tool that can be used to find … Continue reading →
On February 3, 2010
ClearCount Medical Solutions, an innovator of patient safety solutions for the operating room, recently announced 510(k) clearance from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to begin commercialization of its lower cost SmartWand-DTX™ system. The SmartWand-DTX provides hospitals and … Continue reading →
On February 2, 2010
Medline to Distribute Only FDA-Cleared RFID System to Both Count and Locate Surgical Sponges Left in Patients Medline Industries, Inc. has been named the exclusive distributor for the SmartWand-DTX™ and SmartSponge® System, the only FDA-cleared systems using RFID technology to … Continue reading →
On
ClearCount Medical Solutions has announced 510(k) clearance from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to begin commercialization of its lower cost SmartWand-DTX system. The SmartWand-DTX provides hospitals and surgery centers with a new patient safety tool that simply … Continue reading →
On
ClearCount Medical Solutions has received 510(k) clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to begin commercialization of its SmartWand-DTX system. This complementary offering to ClearCount’s SmartSponge System provides an economical and flexible approach to implementing the latest RFID … Continue reading →
On February 1, 2010
PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania — ClearCount Medical Solutions has received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its SmartWand-DTX sponge-counting system, a smaller, lower-cost, more-portable alternative to its sponge-detection system already on the market. The SmartWand uses radio-frequency identification (RFID) … Continue reading →
On January 28, 2010
A radio frequency identification (RFID) tracking system registers the history of every sponge or towel during a procedure, guaranteeing that none are left in the patient. The SmartSponge System and the SmartWand-DTX can read and record the unique identification (ID) … Continue reading →
On January 26, 2010
Medline Industries, Inc. has been named the exclusive distributor for the SmartWand-DTX™ and SmartSponge® System, the only FDA-cleared systems using radio-frequency identification to both count and locate surgical sponges. The systems, created by ClearCount Medical Solutions, use a technology featuring … Continue reading →
On January 19, 2010
Medline Industries, Inc. is now the exclusive distributor for the SmartWand-DTX™ and SmartSponge® System, the only FDA-cleared systems using radio-frequency identification to both count and locate surgical sponges. The systems, created by Pittsburgh-based ClearCount Medical Solutions, use a technology featuring chip-embedded sponges … Continue reading →
On January 18, 2010
MUNDELEIN, IL- Medline Industries, Inc., has been named the exclusive distributor for the SmartWand-DTXTM and SmartSponge® System, the only FDA-cleared systems using radio-frequency identification to both count and locate surgical sponges. The systems, created by ClearCount Medical Solutions, use a … Continue reading →
On January 14, 2010
ClearCount Medical Solutions out of Pittsburgh, PA is finally releasing its RFID-based sponge tracking products that won FDA approval back in June of 2007. Medline Industries of Mundelein, IL has been named as the soul distributor of the SmartWand-DTX and … Continue reading →
On January 13, 2010
Medline has been named as the exclusive distributor for the SmartWand-DTX and SmartSponge System, the only FDA-cleared systems using radio-frequency identification to both count and locate surgical sponges. The systems, created by ClearCount Medical Solutions, use a technology featuring chip-embedded … Continue reading →
On December 2, 2009
ClearCount Medical Solutions has tackled the pervasive problem of lost surgical sponges in the operating room with a breakthrough solution that’s improving patient outcomes and garnering praise both locally and nationally. This month the world’s first radio-frequency-tagged surgical sponge was … Continue reading →
On November 30, 2009
The editors of Popular Science have named Pittsburgh-based ClearCount’s SmartSponge® System one of the top technology innovations of 2009. As a winner off a “Best of What’s New” award in the health category, the SmartSponge System stands out as the first and … Continue reading →
On November 18, 2009
Today’s technology-laden operating rooms rely on the centuries-old practice of nurses visually counting instruments and surgical sponges — what goes in should come out. Studies indicate, however, that one in every 1,000 to 1,500 abdominal surgeries results in a sponge … Continue reading →
On November 13, 2009
The SmartSponge system, developed by ClearCount Medical Solutions Inc. of West View, has been named one of Popular Science magazine’s top technology innovations for 2009. SmartSponge, its developer says, eliminates any chance of left-behind sponges during surgery.
On November 12, 2009
A new RFID chip promises to make sponges smarter by giving hospitals and surgeons the ability to track where they go. It sounds like a goofy plotline from an old M*A*S*H episode, where Frank Burns would accidentally leave a surgical … Continue reading →
On November 1, 2009
Medical technology can save lives, but it can also cause harm. Fortunately, most risks are preventable. Here are 10 key sources of potential danger, along with recommendations for protecting your patients and staff. Read More →
On
ClearCount sponges pull double livesaving duty. After soaking up blood during a surgery, they alert docs before they can be accidentally sewn up inside a patient—a potentially fatal mistake that requires a lengthy hospital stay and antibiotics to clear up. … Continue reading →
On October 28, 2009
The Marines have a famous motto that states “no man left behind.” ClearCount Medical Solutions, a five year old Pittsburgh startup that recently secured $3.4 million in funding, is trying to help hospitals adopt a similar mantra: no sponge left … Continue reading →
On October 27, 2009
In Life Sciences news, ClearCount Medical Solutions received $3.4 million in Series B financing and the Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse closed on $725,000 in direct investment in five startups. ClearCount, makers of RFID-tagged surgical sponges, will continue to focus on … Continue reading →
On October 24, 2009
Retained sponge incidents jeopardize hospital reputation and cause catastrophes for staff and patients. Today, one in every 1,000 to 1,500 intra-abdominal surgeries results in a sponge left behind in the patient. The SmartSponge System, the only RFID-based system currently on … Continue reading →
On October 22, 2009
ClearCount Medical Solutions, a Pittsburgh-based company focused on improving surgical safety, has announced it has closed a round of Series B financing, raising $3.4 million, which the company says will help fund its sales and product-development efforts. ClearCount has developed … Continue reading →
On October 20, 2009
PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania — ClearCount Medical Solutions, developing technology so no one leaves a surgical sponge where it doesn’t belong, is the latest Pittsburgh company to receive the steady drizzle of venture funding raining on the city. The 5-year-old business said … Continue reading →
On
Local life sciences companies have been on a complete capital raising rampage lately. ClearCount is joining the fold as it locked down another $3.4 million. ClearCount is bringing to market the SmartSponge System, the only system to use both counting and … Continue reading →
On
t. Clair Hospital in Mt. Lebanon said it planned to break ground in December for three new operating rooms to accommodate growing patient volume. … Ross-based medical safety startup ClearCount Medical Solutions announced yesterday that it closed $3.4 million in … Continue reading →
On October 16, 2009
ClearCount Medical Systems Inc., a Ross-based developer of technology that prevents patients from leaving the operation table with a surgial sponge inside, has raised $3.4 million from local investors. CEO David Palmer raised $4.1 millino from mostly the same investors … Continue reading →
On September 21, 2009
Each year, the Wall Street Journal gives out its Technology Innovation Awards. This year, it recognized two RFID companies. In the semiconductor category, Verayo was named a runner-up for its “unclonable” silicon chip, which can be used in anti-counterfeiting efforts, … Continue reading →
On September 18, 2009
ClearCount Medical Solutions‘ SmartSponge® System was named a runner-up under the medical devices category in the Wall Street Journal 2009 Technology Innovation Awards. The award recognizes companies, individuals and organizations world-wide for technological breakthroughs in such areas as medicine, software, the Internet, wireless and … Continue reading →
On September 17, 2009
ClearCount Medical Solutions’ SmartSponge System got a nod on Tuesday from the Wall Street Journal’s 2009 Technology Innovation Awards. Though the Pittsburgh company’s product didn’t receive the top prize in the medical devices category, it was one of three international … Continue reading →
On September 1, 2009
Runner-Up: ClearCount Medical Solutions, U.S. A system for detecting and counting surgical sponges using RFID technology, providing clinicians with an automated way to reconsile sponge counts. Read More →
On August 18, 2009
A super-flexible robot snake, a vaccine for diabetes and a system to prevent surgical sponges from being left inside patients were among the highlights of a Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse tour yesterday for Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and County Executive Don … Continue reading →
On June 18, 2009
It’s always so freaking cool when a Pittsburgh-based technology company gets some major national/international ink. It’s not only great for the company, but the entire region, too! ClearCount’s SmartSponge system was profiled in the latest edition of Time Magazine. Get … Continue reading →
On June 9, 2009
An article profiling ClearCount Medical Solutions’ Smart Sponge System will appear in the 3.4 million copies of Time Magazine to be mailed to subscribers next week. The Smart Sponge System uses radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology to automate surgical sponge counting and … Continue reading →
On June 8, 2009
The week of Oct. 6, 2008, is often referred to as “Black Week,” when the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 18% in its worst-ever weekly decline. In the aftermath, venture capitalists tightened their purse strings to reflect the new reality. Sequoia Capital held … Continue reading →
On June 5, 2009
ClearCount Medical Solutions, a five-year-old Pittsburgh-based company, was recently featured in TIME magazine. Clear Count developed the SmartSponge System — a technology that features chip-embedded sponges and relies on radio-frequency identification (RFID) to ensure that no surgical sponges get left … Continue reading →
On June 4, 2009
Patients who undergo surgery aren’t keen on souvenirs. Most draw the line at a scar. But some will go home with an internal takeaway — a surgical sponge left inside them. The majority of U.S. hospitals still use traditional sponges … Continue reading →
On May 3, 2009
ClearCount Medical Solutions is a medical device company focused on patient safety solutions. ClearCount has assembled an xtendable RFID-based platform that provides a comprehensive solution to drive efficiency while preventing medical errors. ClearCount’s SmartSponge System, exclusively available through Cardinal Health, … Continue reading →
On
ClearCount Medical Solutions CEO David Palmer joins us to talk about innovation and high-tech surgical sponges developed in the Pittsburgh region.
On May 1, 2009
By directly investing $5.4 million in 84 companies last year, Innovation Works became the third most active seed-stage investor in the country. That was just one of the accomplishments the Hazelwood-based economic development group trumpeted at its fourth annual community … Continue reading →
On
“Never event”—a term defined by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as preventable injuries and infections in patients that occur during hospital stays and, as of October 2008, incidents for which CMS and a number of private insurers no … Continue reading →
On
Considering the amount of time spent in the surgical suite and the myriad of challenges that can arise over the course of any given procedure, one could logically surmise that many OR nurses probably have come up with a good … Continue reading →
On April 16, 2009
ClearCount Medical Solutions expects to place about 300 of its RFID-based SmartSponge Systems in hospital surgical suites by the end of this year and perhaps double that number during 2010, according to David Palmer, CEO of the Ross Township-based medical … Continue reading →
On April 14, 2009
Hospitals in the United States have increased their spending by more than 200% since 2005 on electronic tracking systems that can locate wandering patients and misplaced equipment, detect errant blood transfusions and prevent medication errors, as well as sound alarms … Continue reading →
On April 8, 2009
The SmartSponge System from ClearCount Medical Solutions employs RFID technology to both count and detect sponges during surgery, increasing efficiency and performance in the OR, and most importantly, improving patient safety. by Amanda McGowan, Editor, Surgical Products For a patient, … Continue reading →
On March 16, 2009
Even one left-behind sponge incident can jeopardize hospital reputation and cause catastrophic patient events PITTSBURGH–(BUSINESS WIRE)–ClearCount Medical Solutions, an innovator of patient safety solutions for the operating room, announced today that it has introduced its industry-first Never Event WarrantyTM (N.E.W.) … Continue reading →
On March 12, 2009
ClearCount Medical Solutions, an innovator of patient safety solutions for the operating room, announced its SmartSponge System Operating Procedures have earned the first-ever Seal of Recognition awarded by the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN). The SmartSponge System is the … Continue reading →
On February 24, 2009
In case intra-abdominal surgery isn’t traumatic enough, in every 1000 to 1500 cases a sponge is left behind in the patient. That can mean life-threatening complications for the patient, exposure to unneeded radiation from X-rays, and a need for additional … Continue reading →
On February 23, 2009
Residence: Adams Age: 45 Family: Wife, Mary; son, Austin, 12; daughter, Sydney, 10 Education: Bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from West Virginia University, 1986; master’s degree in public management, Carnegie Mellon University, 1992 Occupation: CEO of Clear Count Medical Solutions … Continue reading →
On
1// Saguaro cacti On the landscaping black market, these succulents sell for more than $1,000. Arizona’s Saguaro National Park plans to use RFIDs to track hot cacti. 2// Indian elephants The New Delhi forest department requires pet jumbos be chipped … Continue reading →
On January 29, 2009
Amid arcing electricity and clouds from dry ice, Carnegie Science Center announced the winners of the 2009 Carnegie Science Awards. The awards sponsored by the Eaton Corp. included the Chairman’s Award to Westinghouse Electric Co. for its advances in nuclear … Continue reading →
On January 12, 2009
ClearCount Medical Solutions announced its SmartSponge System received a finalist award under the Medical and Scientific category of the 2008 International Design Excellence Awards (IDEAs). The award was submitted in conjunction with product development consultancy Bright Innovation. The SmartSponge System … Continue reading →
On December 2, 2008
Despite a grizzly economic landscape, investment capital is flowing into Pittsburgh area life sciences companies. Both ClearCount Medical Solutions and Cohera Medical received shots of investment totaling a combined $20.2 million. ClearCount Medical Solutions secured a $4.1 million Series A … Continue reading →
On November 11, 2008
About 3,000 times a year, a foreign object is left inside a surgical patient. While hardly an epidemic when compared against the annual number of surgeries in the United States, these situations prove costly in terms of infections, lawsuits and … Continue reading →
On October 23, 2008
ClearCount Medical Solutions, a Pittsburgh company focused on improving surgical safety, has announced the close of its $4.1 million Series A financing round. The company says it plans to use the funds to accelerate its sales efforts and continue its … Continue reading →
On October 22, 2008
Three rising Pittsburgh tech companies reeled in funding this month, Cohera Medical Inc., Clear Count Medical Solutions and Plextronics. Medical adhesive company Cohera secured $16.1 million for the continued development of its “tissue glue,” a surgical adhesive that adheres flaps … Continue reading →
On October 21, 2008
ClearCount Medical Solutions has closed on $4.1 million in financing, which it will use to increase marketing and sales efforts for its operating room sponge count/detection system. Pittsburgh-based venture capital firm Draper Triangle Ventures led the financing round. ClearCount of … Continue reading →
On October 20, 2008
ClearCount Medical Solutions Inc., a company developing radio-frequency identification technology to detect surgical sponges, has raised $4.1 million in Series A funding to launch its product next year. New investor Draper Triangle Ventures led the round, joined by existing angel … Continue reading →
On
Who knew that leaving surgical sponges inside patients was actually not that rare? At least that’s the message from ClearCount Medical Solutions, a developer of RFID technology used to detect and track the location of surgical sponges. The Pittsburgh company … Continue reading →
On October 17, 2008
The young developer of RFID technology to prevent patients leaving the operating room with unwanted and possibly infectious souvenirs — surgical sponges — has raised $4.1 million in its first major funding round. ClearCount Medical Solutions, based in Ross, attracted … Continue reading →
On
ClearCount Medical Solutions, producers of patient safety applications for operating rooms and other health care situations, has completed a round of Series A financing worth $4.1 million. The cash influx will allow ClearCount to expand sales and marketing efforts for … Continue reading →
On September 29, 2008
2008 SEP 29 — ClearCount Medical Solutions, an innovator of patient safety solutions for the O.R., announced the appointment of Jim Srock to the position of Vice President of Engineering and Operations. In this capacity, Mr. Srock will be responsible … Continue reading →
On September 17, 2008
There are people walking around right now with sponges inside them. And maybe more people than you would think. A published study has indicated that as many as one in anywhere from 1,000 to 1,500 intra-abdominal surgeries result in sponges … Continue reading →
On September 11, 2008
They are called “never events” because they are never supposed to happen. But they do — in an estimated one in 1,000 to 1,500 open abdominal surgeries, patients get wheeled out of an operating room with an undetected sponge or … Continue reading →
On September 4, 2008
David Palmer, president and CEO of ClearCount Medical Solutions, talks about using technology to prevent medical errors in the operating room. Listen to the interview →
On September 1, 2008
Soon healthcare facilities will need to absorb the direct cost of objects retained during surgery because these occurrences are now considered “preventable conditions” for which the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services won’t pay (U.S. Department of Health & Human … Continue reading →
On August 1, 2008
Patient safety is of a paramount importance during a surgical procedure, while avoiding preventable errors during the procedure can result in significant cost savings. This article showcases a system that utilizes RFID technology to track sponges during a surgery in … Continue reading →
On July 30, 2008
Description ClearCount Medical Solutions is the only provider of a sponge management system that combines the benefits of counting and detection. Counts can be quickly reconciled and, in the event of non-reconciliation, a missing sponge can be located using the … Continue reading →
On May 19, 2008
Startup ClearCount Medical Solutions has created an RFID-based solution to the surprisingly common problem of surgical sponges left inside patients. Some studies show that as often as once every 1000 surgeries a sponge is lost internally. The current method of … Continue reading →
On
SAN JOSE, Calif. — A Pittsburg startup has launched what could be one of the first RFID systems to debut in an operating room setting. ClearCount Medical Solutions uses RFID to automate the process of tracking surgical sponges. The startup’s … Continue reading →
On May 7, 2008
The little sponge that got left behind is about to become a healthcare mishap of the past. Pittsburgh-based Clearcount Medical Solutions, makers of the first FDA-cleared RFID system for counting and detecting surgical sponges during surgery, has named Cardinal Health … Continue reading →
On May 1, 2008
Cardinal Health is now distributing ClearCount’s patented SmartSponge™ system as part of its Presource® surgical kits and as a stand alone offering. The sponges are permanently affixed with passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tags taht are smaller than a dime. … Continue reading →
On April 11, 2008
Medicare will stop paying to treat some hospital-acquired infections in October, part of a larger movement to deny payment for incidents that should never happen. Hospitals have been required to report these events for the past year to the Centers … Continue reading →
On
Cardinal Health, a global provider of products and services that improve the safety and productivity of healthcare, has announced an agreement with ClearCount Medical Solutions to distribute the first system cleared by the US FDA that integrates both counting and … Continue reading →
On April 3, 2008
ClearCount Medical Solutions, a Pittsburgh-based company focused on improving surgical safety, has announced the availability of SmartSponge. The system incorporates RFID tags into surgical sponges to help prevent medical teams from inadvertently leaving sponges inside surgical patients. First unveiled in … Continue reading →
On
Cardinal Health, a global provider of health care products, has signed an agreement to distribute SmartSponge™, the first system cleared by the Food and Drug Administration that both counts and detects sponges during surgeries with RFID technology. The April 1 … Continue reading →
On April 1, 2008
SmartSponge(TM) System Alerts Surgical Staff If Sponges Remain In Patients DUBLIN, Ohio, April 1, 2008 — Cardinal Health, a global provider of products and services that improve the safety and productivity of health care, today announced an agreement with ClearCount … Continue reading →
On
Pittsburgh, PA & Anaheim, CA – ClearCount Medical Solutions, an innovator of patient safety solutions for the O.R., announced recently the market availability of its FDA-cleared, newly designed Smart Sponge System. As the only system to integrate counting and detection … Continue reading →
On March 31, 2008
Pittsburgh-based ClearCount Medical Solutions has introduced a radio frequency identification-based surgical sponge detection system. Its SmartSponge system consists of sponges permanently affixed with a passive RFID tag that’s smaller than the size of a dime. Clinicians use the vendor’s SmartBucket … Continue reading →
On March 16, 2008
Even one left-behind sponge incident can jeopardize hospital reputation and cause catastrophic patient events PITTSBURGH–(BUSINESS WIRE)–ClearCount Medical Solutions, an innovator of patient safety solutions for the operating room, announced today that it has introduced its industry-first Never Event WarrantyTM (N.E.W.) … Continue reading →
On April 6, 2007
BACKGROUND: More than 40 million surgeries are performed in the United States each year. Of those, 3,000 patients will come out of the surgery with something other than what they went in for. Everything from surgical instruments to sponges are … Continue reading →
On February 28, 2007
There are 40-million surgeries in the United States each year. But what’s supposed to make you better can sometimes kill you! This year, about 1,500 people will leave the operating room with a surgical instrument left in their body. Sometimes … Continue reading →
