While any surgical error can be negative, there are some that are more inexplicable than others.
Recently, a news report discussed the increase in doctors leaving surgical items inside patients after surgery. While this story related these types of incidents happening with a troubling frequency in the Midwest, it is something for people across the nation to think about if they are experiencing unexpected health issues after their procedure.
Man became ill after surgical equipment was left in him after surgery
In the recent case, a man had surgery to remove cancer from his liver and colon. However, he was in pain on the ride home and became physically ill. After experiencing severe pain over the next several days, he returned to the hospital where a surgical sponge was found to have been left in his pelvis.
He filed a legal claim and received $2 million.
The doctor and hospital apologized and it was referred to as a “never event.” Still, despite that description, surgical items being left inside patients continues to be a problem. After a significant reduction in incidents like this occurring, there was a spike in 2023.
There are procedures in place among surgical staff to prevent this type of issue from happening. It is believed, however, that the number of steps that are taken can become redundant and communication with new staff members is often lacking.
Doctors and hospitals should be accountable for egregious errors
When a person has had care in a hospital or a medical facility and is facing complications or illnesses that do not seem connected to their initial diagnosis, it is vital that there be a full investigation as to why. Perhaps it was a medication error, a mistake during treatment or, as in this story, surgical items left inside the patient. Regardless, knowing how to pursue a medical malpractice claim requires experienced advice with investigating what happened and knowing how to proceed.