Government data indicates that each year, thousands of patients in New
York and across the country may be victims of malpractice related to surgical
supplies being left inside their bodies. This type of medical malpractice
is easily preventable and typically includes supplies such as cotton gauze
and absorptive sponges rather than surgical instruments and clamps; however,
these ubiquitous items can potentially have dire effects when left inside
one's body.
Medicare data suggests that the average cost for hospitalization related
to this type of
surgical error may be close to $60,000 per incident on average, and a medical malpractice
lawsuit related to a surgical error such as this may cost a hospital approximately
$100,000 to $200,000. Patients may endure pain and significant health
complications as a result. Surgery and additional hospitalization may
be required to remove the surgical supplies, and some complications, most
commonly infection, may result in permanent health issues for the patient.
This type of error in surgery is related to negligence on the part of the
operating team. Some hospitals have instituted the practice of giving
patients a post-operative x-ray to quickly identify supplies that may
have been left inside a patient. However, even with this practice, the
patient must endure additional surgery and may have an increased risk
of complications. More effective solutions, such as equipping sponges
with a minuscule radio-tracking tag that can be scanned before a patient
is closed up, are unfortunately still shunned by a majority of U.S. hospitals
in spite of their proven efficacy.
Victims of a surgical error or another medical malpractice issue in the
New York City area may experience expenses related to increased medical
costs, lost wages and other expenses. By filing a personal injury lawsuit
with the help of a New York personal injury lawyer, they may be able obtain
compensation that can ease the financial burden they may face after such an event.
Source: WZZM 13 ABC, "Health Investigation: Surgery Mistakes," Amy Fox,
March 8, 2013
