Forgotten ureteric stents encrust, obstruct and infect, and removing them can need complex surgery. They are a preventable harm.
Record every stent in a register with a planned removal or change date at the time of insertion, tell the patient that date in writing, and have someone responsible for checking overdue stents. This matters most where follow-up is fragmented or patients travel far for care.
- Enter every stent in a register at insertion.
- Set and document a removal or change date.
- Give the patient the date in writing.
- Review the register for overdue stents regularly.
Why it matters
A forgotten stent turns a routine stone episode into a major operation.
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