Apparatus and methods for monitoring objects in a surgical field

A method of performing a package status check, comprising:

• detecting a sponge identifier of a sponge, wherein the sponge identifier is an RFID tag, and wherein the step of detecting the sponge identifier is further defined as detecting the sponge identifier using an antenna;
• comparing the sponge identifier to previously detected sponge identifiers to determine whether the sponge has been re-scanned;
• issuing an alert when the sponge is determined to have been re-scanned;
• comprising overriding the alert;
• and
• tracking an identity of a person who causes the alert to be overridden.

A method of performing a package status check, comprising:

• detecting a sponge identifier on a sponge;
• determining whether the sponge has been previously scanned in based on the detected sponge identifier;
• and
• issuing an alert when the sponge has not been previously scanned into a surgical site.