When an instrument is found to be broken during counting, what should be done with it?

The correct course of action when an instrument is found to be broken during counting is to tag it and keep it on the field. This approach is important for several reasons. Tagging the broken instrument ensures that the surgical team is aware of its presence, which prevents accidental use and preserves a chain of custody for the item. Keeping it in the surgical field allows for proper documentation and further discussion about the broken instrument, which is essential for both patient safety and quality control processes.

In surgical settings, maintaining a clear record of instruments and any incidents that occur is vital for ensuring accountability and understanding any potential impacts on patient care. Tagging the instrument helps facilitate this process, as it will be noted in the surgical documentation, allowing for a thorough examination of why and how the instrument failed.

Removing it from the field immediately could cause confusion about whether all instruments have been accounted for, and discarding it without recording would eliminate any possibility of investigating the failure. Leaving it for further inspection later can lead to the risk of it being overlooked, potentially impacting patient safety. Thus, tagging and retaining the instrument in the field is the most responsible and systematic approach to handle the situation.