A routine surgery goes smoothly. The patient returns home a day later, feeling pain, but nothing unexpected. As days go by, the pain increases, and the wound doesn't seem to heal properly. Pain meds are increased, with little effect. It's not until nearly a month later that an x-ray reveals the medical equipment left behind after surgery.

In some cases, surgical sponges, clamps, blades, and other medical equipment have been left inside patients after surgery. The consequences of such negligence include tissue, blood vessel, and organ damage. In addition, more surgery is usually required to remove the object, and other treatment may be necessary to resolve complications caused by the error.

Surgical teams are expected to count all tools before and after treatment in order to ensure that none have been left behind. When a doctor or nurse negligently forgets to remove a piece of equipment, basic medical standards have not been met.