When is the surgical count typically performed during a procedure?

The surgical count is a critical safety procedure to prevent retained surgical items within a patient's body. It is typically performed before closing the surgical site to ensure that all sponges, needles, and instruments used during the surgery are accounted for. This count occurs at various stages throughout the procedure, including:

1. Before the start of the surgery, to establish a baseline.

2. During the surgery, particularly when significant changes occur, such as the introduction of new instruments or sponges.

3. Final counts are conducted just prior to closing the surgical site, allowing the surgical team to confirm that nothing has been left inside the patient.

Conducting the count at this stage provides a final verification step that minimizes the risk of foreign bodies being unintentionally left in the operative area. This is a pivotal moment in the surgical workflow to confirm the integrity of the surgical field before concluding the procedure.