In the realm of healthcare, where precision and care are paramount, the occurrence of wrong site surgeries represents a profound failure of standard practices and a significant breach of patient trust. These mistakes—operations performed on the wrong part of the body—are preventable. However, they continue to impact patients. What should you know about wrong site injuries?
How often do these medical mistakes occur?
Wrong site surgeries are “never events”—errors that should never occur and are preventable with the right safety protocols in place. Despite this, one study estimated that the rate is high enough that one patient could be impacted at each hospital every five to ten years by a surgery on the wrong part of the body, the wrong procedure or a surgery performed on the wrong patient.
According to recent data, more than one third of wrong site surgery claims are related to orthopedic procedures. Neurosurgery and urology are also common procedures where these errors occur.
How do these serious errors harm patients?
The consequences of wrong site surgeries extend far beyond the operating room. Not only do wrong site surgeries subject patients to unnecessary procedures, but their actual health concerns go untreated.
Almost half of wrong site surgeries leave patients in need of additional surgery, and around one third subject them to additional pain. Many people also experience difficulties with mobility, worsened injuries and scarring. Around seven percent of wrong site surgery errors are fatal.
For anyone who has endured such an ordeal, the journey is not just about physical recovery; it encompasses a battle against emotional turmoil and a fight for restitution and acknowledgment of the wrong done.
How can patients and their loved ones seek justice?
It is vital for victims to know that the law is on their side. A medical malpractice claim can address these breaches by allowing patients to seek compensation for their injuries and losses. This is not merely about addressing financial impact of this mistake. It is also about holding healthcare providers responsible and preventing future patients from suffering the same harm.