Undergoing surgery is a scary experience for most people. We place our safety and lives in a surgeon’s hands and expect that they will be trustworthy and professional. After all, they are responsible for our lives in these situations.
Unfortunately, surgical errors happen in Florida hospitals, many times due to a surgeon’s negligence. A surgical error can cause serious and sometimes permanent injuries, both physical and mental.
In some cases, a surgical error could have been prevented if the surgeon had proper training, followed safety protocols or taken other steps to reduce the chance of an error caused by negligence.
Although there are many types of mishaps that could occur during surgery, here are some of the most common surgical errors.
Incorrect medication type or dosage
Giving a patient the wrong type or dosage of medication is one of the most common surgical errors. Surgery typically involves many types of drugs both pre- and post-surgery, as well as during the surgery itself.
Being given the wrong medication or incorrect dosage can have serious or life-threatening consequences. Your medical history and charts should always be thoroughly reviewed by a surgeon and their team.
Wrong site surgery
This may seem to be an extreme example, but surgeries performed on the wrong part of the body are common. For example, an operation could be performed on the left leg instead of the right leg.
This could cause major damage to the area where the mistaken operation was done. A safety checklist or proper procedures could prevent this mistake.
Foreign objects left inside body
Leaving foreign objects inside a patient’s body is another example of a surgical error that you may believe is extreme but is actually common. Medical instruments or gauze are examples of foreign objects that are sometimes left inside of patients’ bodies and can be extremely dangerous.
In addition to potentially needing additional surgery to remove the object from the patient’s body, the object can cause infections and require antibiotics.
Lack of proper hygiene
Lack of proper hygiene is another common surgical error that can also cause infections. Surgeons must go through a rigorous routine prior to surgery to wash and disinfect their hands and body.
Failing to go through this process or skipping steps can lead to serious infections, some of which could be fatal. Many surgical site infections are caused by this failure to follow hygiene or disinfectant protocol.
Equipment issues
Surgery involves various intricate tools and operating equipment. Computers, cameras, scalpels and knives are examples of surgical equipment and are examples of equipment surgeons need to perform their job correctly.
Surgical errors can happen when surgeons are not properly trained on this equipment or the equipment malfunctions or fails. As technology advances, the amount of equipment in the operating room increases, making the chance of these errors greater.
What to do after a surgical error
When a surgeon’s actions fall below the standard of care, this could be medical malpractice. If you believe you are a victim of medical malpractice due to a surgical error, knowing what to do next can be confusing and overwhelming. The healthcare system is often confusing and difficult to navigate.
A review of your case to determine what compensation is available for you is necessary after a surgical error.