Surgical Errors
The number of serious surgical
mistakes has risen dramatically since 1998, according to a recent
report by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health care
Organizations (JCAHO, an independent body that evaluates health
care organizations across the US). In 1998 the JCAHO released
a warning after 15 "wrong site" cases (where an operation
is performed on an incorrect part of the body) were reported.
However, by the time the current report was released the number
of botched operations had increased 10-fold to 150. Figures showed
that outpatients were at the greatest risk, with 58% of the cases
analyzed occurring in this type of setting. Meanwhile the most
risky operations were orthopedic and podiatric procedures. The
majority of surgical errors involved wrong site operations, however
13% were carried out on the wrong patient, and 11% involved the
wrong surgical procedure. The report was issued on the same day
that it was revealed that surgeons at the University of Washington
Medical Center had accidentally left a 13-inch long surgical
instrument inside a patient.
Medical malpractice statistics for Surgical errors/complications:
The following are medical malpractice statistics from various
sources about Surgical errors/complications:
General medical malpractice statistics
related to surgery malpractice in the USA:
Nearly 50% of malpractice trials were against surgeons in 75
of the largest counties in the US 2001 (Bureau of Justice Statistics)
Nearly 33% of malpractice trials were against nonsurgeons in
75 of the largest counties in the US 2001 (Bureau of Justice
Statistics)
Roughly 50% of medical malpractice trials related to surgeons
in the 75 largest counties in the US 2001 (Bureau of Justice
Statistics, US Department of Justice)
Roughly 33% of medical malpractice trials related to nonsurgeons
in the 75 largest counties in the US 2001 (Bureau of Justice
Statistics, US Department of Justice)
Roughly 23% of medical malpractice trials against nonsurgeon
doctors were won by the plaintiff in the 75 largest counties
in the US 2001 (Bureau of Justice Statistics, US Department of
Justice)
Roughly 26.5% of medical malpractice trials against surgeons
were won by the plaintiff in the 75 largest counties in the US
2001 (Bureau of Justice Statistics, US Department of Justice)
An error in surgery, such as operating on the wrong body part, leaving sponges or instruments in the body, or improper antiseptic practices can result in pain, repeating the surgery, scarring, and worse.
Types of surgical errors include:
Wrong-site surgery - operating in the wrong area of the
body.
Wrong surgical procedure - this can include removing the
wrong part of the body, such as limbs, organs, and tissue.
Surgical instrument left in the body - retractors, sponges,
and surgical towels can all be left in the body. According to
the Center for Disease Control, approximately 15,000 surgical
patients have had a surgical instrument left inside their body
in the past few years.
Surgery unrelated to the patient's diagnosis.
Wrong patient surgery
Damage from a planned surgery - this can occur when damage
is not a risk that was explained to the patient before undergoing
surgery.
Surgical errors may occur in any kind of medical procedure involving intrusive and non-intrusive surgery. Even the simplest of cosmetic surgical procedures may result in a surgical error.
If you believe you or a loved one has suffered as a result of surgical error contact us. Surgical error lawsuits require attorneys that possess a deep knowledge of both legal and medical matters.