Wrong Surgical Procedure or Wrong Patient

Wrong-site surgery or operating on the wrong patient is one of the most serious, preventable errors in healthcare, causing unnecessary pain, prolonged recovery, and sometimes irreversible harm. These mistakes, categorized as never events, reflect profound procedural lapses within hospital safety practices. Patients rely on clear protocols and thorough preoperative procedures to prevent such errors, and when these protocols are neglected, the consequences can be life-altering. If you or a loved one has been impacted by a wrong surgical procedure, a Prince George’s County wrong surgical procedure lawyer at Foran & Foran, P.A. can assist in investigating the details of your case and identifying safety failures.

Such errors indicate a critical breakdown in hospital systems meant to protect patient welfare, underscoring the need for accountability. Wrong-site surgeries, like other avoidable medical mistakes, point to systemic failures that affect patient safety across multiple levels of care. For those affected, seeking justice addresses the harm suffered and promotes stronger practices within healthcare facilities. The attorneys at Foran & Foran are dedicated to helping patients hold negligent parties accountable. In cases involving serious procedural errors, like retained surgical instruments, legal representation can help patients pursue compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial costs of these tragic events.

Although wrong-site surgeries, known as WSPEs, are relatively infrequent, their rarity does not lessen their impact. A study estimates that WSPEs occur in about 1 of every 112,000 surgical procedures, meaning that an individual hospital might encounter one error every 5 to 10 years. However, these statistics only account for operations performed in the primary operating room; if we consider surgeries in other settings, such as ambulatory surgery or interventional radiology, the actual rate of these errors may be significantly higher.

For example, a Veterans Affairs study found that half of WSPEs occurred during procedures outside the main operating room, illustrating the need for rigorous safety measures in all healthcare environments. These cases often result in complex military medical malpractice claims. The results can be devastating for a patient affected by such a preventable error, underscoring why medical malpractice cases are essential for addressing these serious mistakes.

The effects of WSPEs are far-reaching and often require extensive medical intervention to address the harm caused. Patients who endure these errors may face various complications, including additional surgeries, increased recovery times, and permanent health impacts.

Wrong-site surgeries can lead to unintended organ damage, as operating on the wrong area of the body can impact organs or structures that would otherwise have been left untouched. Complications from these injuries may include infections, internal bleeding, or the need for corrective surgery. In addition, when surgical instruments are accidentally left in the body—another form of never event—patients face heightened risks of infection and chronic pain.

Patients affected by wrong-patient or wrong-procedure surgeries often experience intense psychological trauma. The emotional effects of learning that an unnecessary or incorrect procedure was performed can be profound, leading to anxiety, depression, and loss of trust in healthcare providers. The impact of these experiences extends beyond physical health, disrupting patients' lives on many levels.

The seriousness of WSPEs highlights the importance of rigorous hospital protocols and patient safety measures.

Legal action can be essential in obtaining compensation and ensuring accountability for patients harmed by wrong-site or wrong-patient surgeries. These errors often indicate a breakdown in hospital protocols, such as verification processes, proper patient identification, or surgical site markings. A Prince George's County wrong surgical procedure lawyer at Foran & Foran, P.A. can investigate the circumstances of these errors, gathering evidence and consulting with medical experts to determine where lapses in care occurred.

Performing surgery on the wrong patient or performing the wrong procedure is a shocking "never event" that can result in devastating physical and emotional harm. Foran & Foran is dedicated to helping victims of such egregious errors seek justice and hold medical providers accountable. Our experienced attorneys are here to fight for the compensation you deserve. To learn more and to schedule a free consultation today, give Foran & Foran's Prince George's County medical malpractice lawyers a call at (301) 441-2022. We proudly represent clients in Hyattsville, Bowie, Upper Marlboro, Waldorf, La Plata, Silver Spring, Rockville, and the surrounding areas.