Things usually go well in the surgery room. Right? Yes, for the most part. But medical mistakes are all too common, causing thousands of deaths in America every year, as well as even more injuries.
One issue is the problem of medical instruments, debris or other objects being left inside the bodies of patients after surgery has been completed.
Almost 5,000 patients have been injured in the last 5 years from having 'medical litter' left in their bodies. 70 people have died.
Another problem is that doctors sometimes know about something left inside a patients body but do not tell them for fear of worrying the patient (as if!), because it may be too difficult to remove and they do not feel what's left inside is dangerous or because they fear a lawsuit.
According to a report, "Those objects are inadvertently left behind in perhaps 1 of every 1,000 to 1,500 abdominal operations, according to a 2003 estimate. UDFs are different, however, because doctors usually know they're there, but they either make no attempt to retrieve the devices or are unsuccessful when they try.
“In some cases, finding a 10/0 [gauge] needle would be like looking for a contact lens in a shag rug carpet,” Clarke said. “Or, you know exactly where it is, but medically retrieving it would not be worth the risk. You’re not going to dig apart the femur to get a quarter-inch screw.”"
SOURCE http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25120613/
But there are also serious consequences. According to this report, "LaCheryl Robinson, for instance, is convinced that the technician who performed a breast biopsy in April 2000 knew that the needle broke during the procedure. She’s angry that doctors discounted her symptoms and feelings until the lump appeared last winter.
“The radiologist said, ‘Oh my God, there’s a needle in your breast,’” recalled Robinson, 50, who works two jobs — as a machine operator and for a beer distributor — and cares for her ailing mother. “I thought, ‘Oh my God, at least it’s not cancer.”
“It’s still not fair,” she said. “That was eight years of suffering and not knowing.”
Representatives for POH Medical Center in Pontiac declined comment on Robinson’s case because of pending litigation. " SOURCE http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25120613/
Tell Us -
Should medical personnel be mandated to tell all patients of even a suspected item left in them after surgery, even though it may be harmless?
And have you experienced something similar and would like to share your story?
All user-generated information on this site is the opinion of its author only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. Members and guests are responsible for their own posts and the potential consequences of those posts detailed in our Terms of Service.
Add a Comment12 Comments
I wanted to thank the responses here.
I am now 42 years old and feel that I am too young to have to worry about this for years and years to come!! Thinking about another surgery is not something that thrills me either!
I feel stupid. I mean, when I was told about this -- the surgeon (whom I respected and only chose because of how highly recommended he came) made this seem so inconsequential. Like it truly wasn't a big deal and while not the norm, happens occasionally and there is really little one can do. This surgeon said that it would be like finding a needle in a haystack.
I did go online shortly after my surgery and researched lawsuits for this type of thing and most of what I read (please remember I did NOT consult my own attorney of which I am embarrassed to admit) said that unless the item left inside has or would definitely cause problems, it is likely the suit would be thrown out.
I'm a single mom of 4 so hiring an attorney to just see if I had a case seemed impossible to me. I just didn't know where to turn and really I still don't.
I think at this point -- I'm in an informational gathering stage and I want to get copies of my records from this surgeon. If anyone has any suggestions what my next step would be -- I'm all ears.
Exchanging a surgery to remove the needle in lieu of not suing the hospital or surgeon would not be ideal ... subjecting my body to another surgery terrifies me. I just keep asking, why me?
I'm sorry -- I have rambled.
Debbie ~
October 24, 2008 - 8:37pmThis Comment
i'm sorry for your pain and worry. you may not be ready to hear this now, but there's always a life lesson to be learned through these incidents. and your story could inspire others to help themselves. that's a gift in itself.
it's important you speak to an attorney in your state. laws vary from state to state. googling is ok to get some background info, but it won't give you the full story. sometimes the online information has been edited, presenting a skewed viewpoint. remember this--there is always someone out there willing to take on your case. do you think every attorney in la wanted to or was qualified to take on oj's case? --not my favorite analogy, but you get my point. in any event, he pulled together his dream team and you know the rest.
consultations are free. it just costs your time. bring notes/your written personal detailed accounting of the incident/medical records/billing statements of your story for the attorney. i will caution you now, review your medical records carefully...sometimes they are not released in their entirety in cases where there could be malpractice. also, ask anyone who was or has been with you since the surgery to note if they have seen any changes in your behavior, moods, walk, range of motion, etc.
when you go, take notes during the meeting---trust me, you won't remember all the details. during the consult, the attorney will advise you whether or not this is a case they will take and what the possible outcome could mean for you. if they say your case is 'frivolous', it usually means that attorney doesn't have the expertise to help you. see more people. susan is correct in that they take a portion of your settlement. if they want money up front, they're not the right person. your case is not frivolous. what happened to you is not professional nor is it an acceptable standard of practice....unless you are willing to agree that it's acceptable.
people have been bullied for a long time and things have only gotten worse. had these incidents been nipped in the bud when they first started happening years ago, we'd all be in a better place and you probably would not be living with a needle in your middle for the past 2 1/2 years. we've become a numb and accepting people.
i'll remind you again, just because it happens does not make it an acceptable standard. this has happened so frequently over so many years that medical staffers behave as if it's an acceptable standard---there's either 'nothing they can do' or 'it happens, but you'll be ok.' whaaaat? back the bus up! why would you jeopardize your health and well being over someone else's poor work ethic? how's that workin' for your self esteem? what message are you sending to your kids----lay down and take it? or stand up for yourself cuz you're worth it! worthiness is a big issue for women....we give and give and give and sometimes don't feel a return, and later ask ourselves---'am i not worth love/praise/gratitude/thanks/money....'--you fill in the blank. a mindset of worthlessness does not serve yourself nor does it elevate the next generation.
from what you wrote, a second surgery may not be in the cards for you, according to your surgeon, since trying to remove it would be 'like finding a needle in a haystack'. i don't get it....they have films of the location of the needle, so they know where it is. is it in such a delicate location that it would be life-threatening to remove it? also, you need expert witnesses (other doctors/surgeons/specialists) to testify regarding the possibility of the needle causing problems for you down the road. i'm sure there are cases that didn't end well when random surgical equipment was erroneously and sloppily left inside after close. a good attorney will know these people, so not to worry. remember, they want to win. they will have the best people for you.
you probably think that i'm in favor of a suit. who cares? this isn't about me. it's about what's acceptable and what's not acceptable. debbie, you are young and want to be healthy and strong to give your kids the upbringing you were counting on giving them. this incident did not occur due to your own negligence, but rather the negligence of others. it's kind of like being rear ended at a red light....imagine sitting in your car, obeying traffic, stopped at a red light---and the guy coming up behind you was supposed to do the same, but they weren't paying attention and struck you from behind. think about those injuries...neck, back, brain...so is it acceptable just to let that go, too?
alysia made an earlier comment about the high cost of malpractice insurance. oh, boo hoo. with all the state licensing and insurance company bureaucracy and pharmaceutical costs, it's no wonder doctors have been getting screwed for years ---and the screwing gets passed on to the patient. when i was a kid, the doctor gave us a cough syrup or whatever we needed right out of the medicine cabinet in his office. no need to go to a drug store unless you needed something he didn't have on hand. it was another income stream for the doctor----greedy big pharma took that away from doctors years ago. and talk about escalating costs!--the script you pay $100 for costs 8 cents a piece to make...if that! also, when i was a kid, a doctor might have seen 10 patients during a typical day---he was able to spend time and get to know the person, their family AND learn about their complaint. now things have changed and they are forced to see 35+ patients a day to keep up with their operating costs...that shakes out to them sometimes spending 7 minutes with a patient. which is part of the reason why you have to now have so many tests and pay even more for the privilege of doing so....they can't spend enough time with you!! i'm sure they're tired...they are, after all, human, and need rest. and then there's the licensing thing....any license--drivers, medical, pet---is a revenue stream for the state. people are mistaken to think that a license will ensure that they will get the 'best' care. so all medical doctors are licensed in this country....and still these mishaps occur. imagine that.
sound harsh? not really. we need to see the complete picture and learn the history to understand how we arrived where we are today...or in this case, got into the mess we find ourselves in today. debbie is just one case...there are millions! and this could happen to any one of you reading this now.
education, experience and genuine interest in the well being of people ensure good care. that's priceless.
so pony up, people. stand your ground and refuse to be bullied. you may even feel better about yourself, and your children will thank you down the road.
Kristy Mills, Traditional Naturopath, CNHP
October 25, 2008 - 11:39amLagunaNaturalHealth.com
This Comment
Because we're a litigious society, there is tremendous financial pressure on doctors and hospitals and outrageous costs of malpractice insurance.
I think it would be much better to try to work something out with the hospital. It is, after all, THEIR responsibility to make things right with the patient and to deal with their surgical staff.
I don't take my cues on how to deal with medical professionals from TV shows.
October 24, 2008 - 7:39pmThis Comment
and why do you suppose it's all come to that? and by 'that', i mean lawsuits. the system has a big filter on the negligible suits---they are tossed out in pretty short order. but we're talking about viable suits resulting from obvious negligence.
the staggering cost of malpractice insurance is due to many factors, one of which the cost of procedures gone wrong due to negligence....which brings us back to the original point---and debbie's problem.
morally speaking, do you feel debbie should just suck it up and live with it? should she go on for the rest of her life wondering and worrying if she's going to be ok? it's obviously still bothering her...it's been 2 1/2 years and she's still thinking about it.
or should she seek her legal options?
let's pursue this further....when a surgical team has amputated the wrong limb, should the patient just live with the consequences? how could you ever make that right? even with a large monetary settlement? what would you do, alysia?
and i don't understand your comment about tv shows. my 'grey's' reference was tongue in cheek....but it does make you wonder what goes on behind closed doors.
Kristy Mills, Traditional Naturopath, CNHP
October 24, 2008 - 8:19pmLagunaNaturalHealth.com
This Comment
you wrote: "Perhaps the hospital would be willing to remove it in exchange for your not suing them."
i read it, and i stand by my response. suggesting an 'exchange program' for shoddy workmanship is kowtowing, acquiescing and cowardly.
the bottom line is, it's an unacceptable standard of practice.
you said that if it were you, you would want the needle removed. did you suggest the exchange program because you don't want to 'rock the boat'? that might suggest you find it acceptable to subject yourself to a second, unnecessary surgical procedure and all the potential problems that go along with it, rather than insisting on a professional, responsible and respectful standard in the first place. what are you afraid of?
you may be interested to know that making a 'deal' with the hospital is not how it works. you would make your 'deal' with the surgeon. good luck with that.
please understand, my response is not contentious---it's to create awareness, and sometimes that makes people feel uncomfortable. people need to stand up for themselves.
by the way, did you see 'grey's anatomy' last nite? during a transplant surgery, meredeth dropped one of the kidneys on the floor and dr bailey's directive was yelling, "FIVE SECOND RULE!!"
makes you wonder.
Kristy Mills, Traditional Naturopath, CNHP
October 24, 2008 - 7:51pmLagunaNaturalHealth.com
This Comment
There was absolutely no "kow tow," and I'm surprised you even thought so!
Please read someone's post carefully before you react. The subject title alone would have been a clue what my position is in this matter!
October 24, 2008 - 6:33pmThis Comment
I know there have been stories of people coming back from war zones with bullet fragments in their bodies that remained for years, but not necessarily without complications. I would think your body would try to surround the needle as a natural protective defense; however, who's to say it still wouldn't work its way out to puncture you somewhere?
I'd be concerned, too, and would want to get that needle out. Perhaps the hospital would be willing to remove it in exchange for your not suing them. Just a thought!
Hope you resolve this issue, soon.
October 24, 2008 - 4:26pmThis Comment
i realize this is a message board, and people have the right to post their point of view----but did you preview what you wrote before you posted it? seriously. it sounds as if you find this to be an acceptable practice and are acquiescing to these substandard practitioners.
we're talking about needles (and other foreign matter) being left in people's bodies after surgery---and the patient having to live with the consequences of the negligence of surgical staffers. grow a pair! would you kowtow if you were in her situation?
Kristy Mills, Traditional Naturopath, CNHP
October 24, 2008 - 4:53pmLagunaNaturalHealth.com
This Comment
I had abdominal surgery 2 1/2 years ago. After surgery, I was just told everything was fine.
At my 2 week follow-up appt., I was told that a stitching needle was "lost" inside of me and that the surgeon did stop the surgery to try to look for it, but decided it was more dangerous to keep me under than it was for the needle to be left inside.
I was X-rayed on the table where they could see the needle. I was X-rayed again 2 weeks later and it was verified on location.
I was told that my body would encapsulate the stitching needle and it would never cause a problem ... but it doesn't stop me from worrying!
I also asked the surgeon why he waited 2 weeks to tell me and he said he didn't want to worry me.
Debbie ~
October 24, 2008 - 1:58pmThis Comment
that's nonsense. like all of us, your medical team needs to be held to a professional standard. his response to your concern is part of the problem i call 'the dismantling of america'--- in this case, it's the lowering of standards and practices.
what happened to you is unacceptable and the matter should be properly investigated.
be aware that the fact that you worry about this could cause you unnecessary stress and anxiety, and may lead to other health concerns down the road. and ps...'never' is a long time---how can anyone predict there will 'never' be a problem with a random needle left in the body after surgery?
i am not litigious by nature, nor am i an alarmist, but have you considered consulting with an attorney in your area who specializes in medical malpractice cases? sadly, these cases are pretty common. at the very least, you could file a complaint with your state medical board so there's a record of the incident.
best of luck to you.
Kristy Mills, Traditional Naturopath, CNHP
October 24, 2008 - 3:54pmLagunaNaturalHealth.com
This Comment