A method of tracking a medical device comprising: creating a patient profile (3105, 3205, 3310, 3340) for a medical procedure and storing the patient profile (3105, 3205, 3310, 3340) in a records system or database; creating an operating profile (3108, 3120, 3210, 3225) comprising at least one surgical site and storing the operating profile (3108, 3120, 3210, 3225, 3315) in a records system or database; providing a tracking assembly (10, 110, 210, 3109, 3215, 3320) comprising a reader (20, 120, 320, 620), the reader comprising a scanner (26,126, 326, 436, 626), a housing (32, 55, 132, 155, 332, 355) enclosing the scanner (26,126, 326, 426, 626), and a medical drape (24, 124, 224, 324); placing a medical device having an identifier (111, 311) over the reader (20, 120, 220, 320, 420, 520, 620); scanning the identifier (111, 311) of the medical device to electronically record the medical device data, wherein the scanner (26,126, 326, 436, 626) communicates with the records system or database using a wireless connection; obtaining additional medical device data from at least one additional database selected from the group consisting of hospital and clinic databases, medical device manufacturer and distributor databases, payer databases and government databases; associating the scanned medical device data and additional medical device data with the at least one surgical site, whereby the scanned medical device is given a status of assigned; creating a visual image of placement of the medical device; and changing the status of the medical device to a status of unassigned, or used, or broken, or discarded or implanted after completion of the medical procedure. creating a patient profile (3105, 3205, 3310, 3340) for a medical procedure and storing the patient profile (3105, 3205, 3310, 3340) in a records system or database; creating an operating profile (3108, 3120, 3210, 3225) comprising at least one surgical site and storing the operating profile (3108, 3120, 3210, 3225, 3315) in a records system or database; providing a tracking assembly (10, 110, 210, 3109, 3215, 3320) comprising a reader (20, 120, 320, 620), the reader comprising a scanner (26,126, 326, 436, 626), a housing (32, 55, 132, 155, 332, 355) enclosing the scanner (26,126, 326, 426, 626), and a medical drape (24, 124, 224, 324); placing a medical device having an identifier (111, 311) over the reader (20, 120, 220, 320, 420, 520, 620); scanning the identifier (111, 311) of the medical device to electronically record the medical device data, wherein the scanner (26,126, 326, 436, 626) communicates with the records system or database using a wireless connection; obtaining additional medical device data from at least one additional database selected from the group consisting of hospital and clinic databases, medical device manufacturer and distributor databases, payer databases and government databases; associating the scanned medical device data and additional medical device data with the at least one surgical site, whereby the scanned medical device is given a status of assigned; creating a visual image of placement of the medical device; and changing the status of the medical device to a status of unassigned, or used, or broken, or discarded or implanted after completion of the medical procedure.