Going in for any type of surgical procedure is stressful enough. If you begin to worry about a possible surgical error, your anxiety will be off the charts. Despite all the training and protocols, surgical errors can still occur, leading to severe complications that may require additional surgery to correct.
In extreme situations, they can also result in death.
There can be many explanations for a surgical error. Still, suppose the incident rises to the level of a provable case of medical malpractice. In that case, your best course of action is to contact an experienced Lexington medical malpractice lawyer like you’ll find at Peterson Law Office.
It may be incredibly stressful to file a malpractice claim against a doctor you have put your trust in. However, if that doctor caused you harm and financial loss, you should not take on those burdens.
We’ve helped many clients pursue claims against doctors, nurses, and entire hospital organizations. Prevailing in a medical malpractice claim requires an extensive amount of relevant evidence and witness testimony. We bring years of advocacy on behalf of our clients to every case.
Unfortunately, surgical errors are all too common.
How Often Do Surgical Errors Happen?
Last year, the Pensacola News Journal reported on the story of a man who died after his liver was removed instead of his spleen. As part of the reporting, the article cited that surgical errors happen around 4,044 times annually.
Another study published by the National Library of Medicine that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognized that medical errors are the fourth most common cause of death. These statistics demonstrate that surgical errors are more common than you might think.
What Are the Common Medical Errors?
Before a surgeon undertakes their first operation, they will undergo years of education, training, and practice. With each procedure, their confidence builds, and the surgery becomes a routine matter.
Unfortunately, that complacency can often lead to error. The following are some of the most common errors that happen during surgery.
Anesthesia Errors
Anesthesia is required for every surgery. The surgeon relies on the anesthesiologist to administer the drugs that will keep the patient sedated.
That medication also helps maintain blood pressure and other vitals. To be successful, an anesthesiologist needs to consider the patient’s medical history, weight, and height when determining the proper dosage. A minor miscalculation can trigger complications that lead to oxygen deprivation, traumatic brain injury, stroke, or death.
Surgeons Leaving Surgical Equipment Inside the Patient
When classifying surgical errors, leaving a piece of surgical equipment inside a patient is referred to as unintentionally retained foreign objects (URFOs). According to recent studies, out of the 28 million surgical operations performed annually, there are approximately 1,500 cases of URFOs.
When discovered, these incidents require additional surgery to remove the object. That can delay the recovery of the first procedure.
Performing Surgery on the Wrong Location
Some surgical sites are obvious. However, there are just as many procedures that are located on one side of the body or the other. When this type of error occurs, it means that the surgeon is operating and possibly removing a healthy part of the patient’s body.
Performing the Wrong Procedure
It is rare for a surgeon to perform only one procedure a day. Often, they can schedule 3 or 4 operations in a shift.
When reviewing all the same procedures for a single session, errors can occur, resulting in the incorrect procedure being performed or the wrong patient being operated on. Imagine waking up in the recovery room to discover what you came into the hospital for didn’t happen.
How Do Surgical Errors Happen?
When investigating a medical malpractice claim, you have to get to the root cause of the surgical error. That investigation will be part of the certificate of merit you must obtain from an independent medical practitioner in order for your case to proceed. There are three leading causes:
- Poor communication
- Failure to follow surgical safety checklists
- Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol
A surgeon relies on his team to communicate effectively about the upcoming procedure and any potential complications that might have arisen since the patient was administered to the hospital.
Ultimately, it is the surgeon’s responsibility to be aware of what they are doing before the procedure begins. However, if there is a break in the chain of communication, it can lead to errors. There are also safety protocols in place designed to prevent infection and enhance patient recovery. Procedures also include the precise steps a surgeon must follow throughout the procedure in order to achieve a successful outcome.
Obviously, suppose a doctor or any member of their surgical team is under the influence of drugs or alcohol before, during, or after the procedure. In that case, it can lead to serious complications.
Understanding Your Options
With a surgical error, you’re owed an explanation. When there is no satisfaction, it is time to consider other options. If any type of surgical error has harmed you or someone in your family, you need to speak with Peterson Law Office.
We’re a dedicated team of experienced medical malpractice attorneys who have helped many clients pursue a remedy for their losses. You can schedule a free consultation to discuss what happened.
In that first session, we can answer your questions and provide you with information about all your options for moving forward with your claim.
