Local Law Firms Home > Medical Malpractice Overview > Surgical Mistakes > Surgical Instruments Left in the Body You go into surgery. It’s something you are afraid about to begin with. You wake up, and at first, everything seems okay. But then the problems begin. You go back to the doctor, or to another physician, only to discover that a foreign item is in your body; a surgical item that accidently was left inside. Perhaps it is a sponge, or even worse, perhaps it is something like a pair of scissors. Whatever the case may be, this is completely unacceptable and may result in monetary compensation for the victim.
Studies have suggested that product storage is due to precise precautions that are not followed. Most commonly, a sponge or cloth miscount happens. The first should happen when unpackaging the precise tools/instruments. Before a healthcare procedure, one of the nurses attending the operating room is accountable for the sponges/towels and is accountable for keeping track of the sponges again to ensure that none were left in. Error happens, however, when simple miscount happens. Did you know? |