What does a Retained Foreign Object (RFO) event refer to in a surgical context?

In a surgical context, a Retained Foreign Object (RFO) event specifically refers to a situation where a surgical sponge, instrument, or any foreign object is unintentionally left inside a patient after a surgical procedure. This can pose serious health risks to the patient, including infections, internal damage, and complications that may require additional surgeries to correct. The definition of an RFO encompasses any item that should have been removed but has not been, emphasizing the critical importance of proper surgical protocols, counting of instruments and sponges, and thorough checks to prevent such occurrences.

The other choices do not accurately depict the nature of an RFO; they either describe items intended for use during surgery or a situation that does not relate to the retention of objects in the patient's body. Thus, identifying and addressing RFO events is a vital part of surgical safety and patient care.