Medical Malpractice and Performing the Wrong Procedure
It is a person’s right to expect that the medical professionals they deal with meet the same degree of care that would be provided by similarly trained medial professionals who are presented with the same set of circumstances. A failure to meet this basic standard of care is defined as medical malpractice.
There are many forms of medical malpractice, and one of the most serious is a doctor performing the wrong procedure. As unbelievable as it may seem, medical malpractice involving the wrong procedure is a concern. Serving clients from Salt Lake City, UT, Provo, UT, and surrounding areas, medical malpractice attorney Lynn C. Harris will fight to get clients just compensation for any losses they suffer as the result of an incorrect medical procedure.
Types of Wrong Procedure Incidents
There are two types of wrong procedure incidents that may occur when a person goes in for surgery or a medical procedure. The first is commonly referred to as a wrong site incident. A wrong site incident is one in which the correct procedure is performed, but it is performed on the wrong part of the body. For instance, a surgeon may amputate the left leg when it is actually the right let that was meant to be removed.
The second type of wrong procedure incident describes situations in which a doctor or medical professional performs the wrong procedure altogether. For instance, a patient may go in to have the gallbladder removed, and instead the surgeon removes a kidney.
Causes of Wrong Procedure Incidents
It seems absurd that medical professionals could make an error as significant as performing the wrong procedure. Unfortunately, there are numerous wrong procedure incidents every year. Many are quick to blame the surgeon when something like this occurs, but there are many medical professionals who may hold (or share) liability for medical malpractice involving the wrong procedure.
Some of the errors that most commonly factor into wrong procedure incidents include:
- Failure to confirm the identity of the patient prior to surgery
- Failure to clearly mark the surgical site
- Failure to perform a pre-surgery checklist
- Poor communication between hospital staff
- Poor hospital planning and organization
- Insufficient medical staff
Damages in Wrong Procedure Cases
Wrong procedure cases can cause serious injuries. First and foremost, if the wrong procedure is performed, the patient will need a second procedure to address the issue that should have been treated initially. This causes extra stress and subjects the patient to the risks of another surgery.
Second, the patient may face complications associated with the incorrect procedure that was performed. For instance, if a perfectly healthy kidney is mistakenly removed, that patient must now live with only one kidney.
Finally, the patient will lose time to another surgery and recovery. It is also likely that the patient will require more time off work during recovery. Overall, the physical, emotional, and financial risks of a wrong incident procedure can be devastating.
Contact Us
If you have been a victim of medical malpractice involving the wrong procedure, you are likely due significant financial compensation for your losses. To learn more about your legal options following medical malpractice, contact us as soon as possible or call (801) 521-3200 to schedule a consultation with attorney Lynn C. Harris. We serve patients in Salt Lake City, Provo, and surrounding areas.
