Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Metal Detectors Find Scalpels Left In Your Body After Surgery
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Mar 20, 2011
Modified Mar 20, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Mar 20, 2011
Modified Mar 20, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Well, this data from the state Health Department has certainly made us terrified of ever getting invasive surgery. In 2008 and 2009, New York surgeons left 292 foreign objects inside patients, a 12 percent increase from 2006 and 2007. Nationwide, it happens about 3,000 times a year. But it's OK, because doctors are now utilizing the advanced technology of metal detecting to figure out what they left in there.
Maimonides Medical Center doctors are now using a metal-detector like wand over patients after major surgeries to double check for foreign objects, which are all affixed with radio-frequency tags. David Feldman, Maimonides vice president for patient safety, said, "We are always trying to make things safer." And avoid malpractice suits! Though some people just don't understand a good goof:
Tagged
metal detector
surgery
Jaya Saxena
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman spar over immigration, cost of living in debate
The Democratic incumbent repeatedly invoked President Donald Trump. The Republican challenger largely avoided bringing up New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
By
Jon Campbell
Published Oct 13, 2026 at 9:05 p.m. ET
Manhattan neurologist charged with sexually abusing 2 patients, DA says
Prosecutors say Dr. Tariq Lamki abused two patients during appointments at a medical practice near Stuyvesant Town.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
Manhattan neurologist charged with sexually abusing 2 patients, DA says
Prosecutors say Dr. Tariq Lamki abused two patients during appointments at a medical practice near Stuyvesant Town.
By
Giulia Heyward
Years of bus headaches start Thursday as Port Authority advances Midtown terminal work
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
and
Carol Chen
ICE admits to using Roxbury, NJ warehouse site to process immigrants
By
Mike Hayes
Dolan's offer: Donations to Blakeman for Knicks tickets
By
Walter Wuthmann
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .