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Every surgical procedure that takes place carries with it an element of risk. If you see something here that feels similar to what happened to you, then it’s quite likely that you have a valid case for a compensation claim.
Here are the main surgical errors:
Foreign objects left in the patient’s body
Unfortunately, this is an all too frequent occurrence where surgeons leave pads, gauze, scalpels or clamps inside the bodies.
Wrong patient surgery
This might sound hugely improbable but has been known to happen. Due to people not following procedures, checking notes or facts properly before surgery, or poor communication between surgeons or hospital protocol.
Unnecessary damage to nerves, tissue or muscle during surgery
One small slip of a scalpel during an operation can be disastrous for the human body.
Failure to effectively stitch / seal/ dress an open wound
Infections spring up all too easily if your surgical wound hasn’t been attended to properly.
Infections associated with contaminated surgical implements
No doubt hygiene is of the utmost importance in any surgical context as your body is most at risk when it is lying opened and exposed on an operating table.
Incorrect dosage of anaesthesia
It is a extremely tricky area as the slightest miscalculation or mix-up can result in some serious damage. If too much is given, the patient may be deprived of oxygen, leading to brain complication and possibly death. If not enough is given, then the patient can risk of waking up mid-procedure.
Wrong site surgery
Unfortunately, the incidence of the wrong part of the body being operated on happens many times every year.
Failure to warn / be aware of the associated risks of a surgical procedure
The Care Quality Commission was set up to ensure that all patients receive the best of care possible under the law.
Death
Any operation that results in the death of the patient is an unarguable case of medical negligence. No compensation or claim of money can really compensate for your huge loss but it can help you with the practicalities that arise when a loved one dies.
The following are the main hospital acquired infections:
- MRSA
- C. difficile (Clostridium difficile)
- MSSA
- E-coli
- Klebsiella
Further examples of surgical errors:
- Deaths resulting from insulin overdoses.
- Failure to fix a problem during surgery.
- Faulty medical equipment or products (think of the recent PIP breast implants scare).
- Inadequate aftercare resulting in bed sores, blood clots or infection.
- Excessive bleeding.
- Air bubbles in the blood.
- Mistaking of chest tubes and feeding tubes.
