You would think that wrong site surgery, or wrong patient surgery, or wrong procedure surgery, could not happen in the 21st century, but you would be wrong. It happens every week. It’s almost always medical malpractice, because it doesn’t have to happen. Surgeons, nurses and other hospital staff are obligated to make REALLY SURE they are carrying out the right operation on the right patient.
The private body that accredits hospitals – the Joint Commission – has developed a written protocol that should eliminate 100 percent of wrong site, wrong procedure or wrong patient surgeries. Here’s a link to the Joint Commission’s statement on what the standard is for preventing wrong site, wrong procedure and wrong patient surgery.
Patient Safety Tip about malpractice and wrong site surgery
Three things should happen when you are prepared for surgery that will ensure you’re not the victim of a mixup:
- The staff does a pre-procedure verification process to make sure you are the right patient. Read more…
Consult with an Experienced Malpractice Attorney
If you believe you or a family member has been seriously injured from medical malpractice, medical error, or neglect by a doctor, hospital, nurse, clinic, nursing home or other health care provider, you may want to click here to contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney for a free evaluation of your case. You can also email us at info@patrickmalonelaw.com or call us at 202-742-1500 or 888-625-6635 toll-free. We will respond within 24 hours. There is no charge for our initial consultation.
