FOREIGN OBJECT

foreign object.An item that appears where it does not belong; esp., an item introduced into a

living body, such as a sponge that is left in a patient’s body during surgery. • The discovery rule

usu. tolls the statute of limitations for a medical-malpractice claim based on a foreign object. —

Also termed foreign substance. See FOREIGN SUBSTANCE. [Cases: Health 666.][Blacks Law 8th]