Who Can Be Held Liable for a Wrong-Site Surgery?

Although efforts are constantly made to prevent errors, approximately 40 cases of wrong-site surgeries are reported each week.

According to statistics available with our Missouri medical malpractice attorney, about 40 cases of wrong-site surgery cases are reported in the United States every week. It is quite unimaginable how a doctor could operate on a wrong site or a completely different patient. There have been medical malpractice claims for a surgeon performing a knee replacement instead of a hip replacement, or removing a person’s gall bladder who was been admitted for a hernia operation.

Procedures to Prevent Wrong-Site Surgery

Each hospital should have certain procedures in place to ensure that wrong-site surgery never happens. The Joint Commission has established guidelines that every hospital, surgeon, nurse, and administrator must follow to eliminate the risk of wrong-site surgery. According to the policies set by the Joint Commission, all hospitals must follow a triple check system before any surgical procedure is performed. Before the surgical staff enters the operating room, they must check:

• If they are going to perform the procedure on the right patient.
• If they are going to perform the procedure on the right part of the body.
• If they have recommended the right procedure.

Upon reaching the operating room and before starting the surgery, the recommended protocol requires a final verification of the procedure to be performed. The entire team involved must unanimously agree on the procedure that is to be performed.

Failure to Communicate

Although the surgeon is primarily responsible for conducting a wrong-site surgery, the hospital may be held liable. This can happen in the following cases:

• The hospital was negligent.
• One of the hospital employees or staff members was negligent and responsible for the wrong-site surgery.

Consult a Missouri Medical Malpractice Lawyer

A wrong-site surgery can have life-threatening implications and the victim may need lifelong treatment as a result. It is important to seek compensation from the doctor or hospital at fault. You will require the services of an experienced Missouri medical malpractice attorney. Call Zevan and Davidson Law Firm, LLC at (314) 588-7200 for a free consultation.