Surgical errors are a common cause of medical malpractice lawsuits. Sometimes it’s the result of an horrific human mistake such as operating on the wrong body part or leaving a tool inside the patient. A new study shows that a significant number of surgical mistakes are caused by problems with the equipment or technology used.
We love technology, whether it’s our mobile device, our car’s GPS or a medical tool that makes us better. But using the wrong tool in a medical setting, or using it improperly, can be deadly.
For example, we’ve discussed the ongoing problems with the Da Vinci robotics system that’s promoted for a wide range of surgeries including those for bladder, colorectal, gynecologic, kidney, prostate and throat cancers.
The new study, published in BMJ Quality and Safety, involved a review of more than 19,000 scientific studies that examined problems arising during a variety of surgeries.
As discussed on AboutLawsuits.com, nearly 1 in 4 of all surgical errors was associated with the failure of equipment or technology.
Additional analysis found that more than 4 in 10 errors had to do with how the machines were configured or calibrated; nearly 4 in 10 concerned the lack of availability of equipment, and more than 1 in 3 involved malfunctioning machines.
Sometimes, as we’ve written, mistakes are made because people aren’t trained properly in the use of the equipment.
Regarding the severity of operating room errors, 1 in 5 was classified as “major”; 13 in 100 of those were the result of technical failures, and 8 in 100 were about problems in communication.
Surgical errors are demonstrably reduced when hospitals implement certain procedures, including safety checklists, (see our blog, “Checklists for Surgery Safety Cut Death and Injuries.”) and the BMJ study bolstered this approach. In operating rooms where equipment safety checklists were followed before surgery, the number of errors was cut by half. When equipment-specific checklists were employed-that is, certain guidelines are followed for certain tools-errors dropped by nearly 61%.
As AboutLawsuits noted, medical mistakes affect as many as 16 in 100 inpatients, and nearly half of reported medical errors concern surgical procedures.
If you or a loved one is scheduled for surgery, make sure you understand the procedure-who is performing it, what are his or her credentials (how many similar procedures has he or she done; is he or she board-certified in the specialty) and whether a certain technology or tool is being employed.
If it is, investigate its safety record on the FDA’s website and ask if your caregiver has a financial stake in the equipment. Keep in mind that practitioners and hospitals that have invested heavily in new technology are especially keen to use-and charge for-it. Those financial interests might impair the providers’ objectivity when it comes to the appropriate use of technology in your situation. (See our blog, “Conflicted Care: Physicians with a Financial Stake in the Medical Devices They Use.”)
Sometimes, device sales representatives are admitted to an OR to advise the surgical team on the proper use of their product. These situations are fraught with the potential for abuse. You have the right to know if this situation pertains to your case. If so, ensure that your caregivers follow guidelines for outsiders in the OR devised by the ECRI Institute, an independent, nonprofit organization that researches safety, quality and cost-effectiveness of patient care.