Many surgical complications are caused by medical errors, according to a new study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Over a third of inpatient surgical patients “have adverse events related to their care, and at least 1 in 5 of these complications is the result of medical errors, the researchers found.” (CNN.com)
Surgery is often a necessary part of treating serious health conditions. While most procedures go as planned, medical errors during or after surgery can lead to complications. These mistakes can cause physical pain, emotional distress, and financial strain for patients and their families.
New study
Comparing the results of this new study to a similar study from 40 years earlier, the safety issues haven’t gotten any better, unfortunately. Sadly, the problem may be even worse than it was in the previous study. (hsph.harvard.edu)
Many important changes have been made since the original study that should make surgeries safer. A few examples are electronic medical records, pre-surgery checklists, and better awareness of conditions like sepsis.
Common examples of medical errors that can cause surgical complications
- Surgery on the wrong site: This occurs when a surgeon operates on the wrong body part. For example, a patient might need surgery on their right knee, but the left knee is mistakenly operated on. Despite protocols like marking the correct site, these errors still happen in rare cases.
- Retained surgical instruments: After surgery, tools like sponges, needles, or clamps can be accidentally left inside a patient. These objects may lead to infections, severe pain, or even additional surgeries to remove them.
- Anesthesia errors: Administering the wrong dose of anesthesia is another common mistake. Too much anesthesia can cause breathing problems, brain damage or even death. Too little anesthesia can lead to a patient waking up during surgery.
- Nerve damage: Surgery often involves working near nerves. A slip of the hand or improper use of tools can accidentally damage nerves, causing chronic pain, numbness, or loss of function in the affected area.
- Organ perforation: During abdominal or pelvic surgeries, a surgeon might unintentionally puncture an organ like the stomach, intestines, or bladder. If not promptly addressed, this can lead to severe infections or organ failure.
- Infections after surgery: Poor hygiene, improper sterilization of tools, or failure to follow care protocols can lead to infections. These infections may cause prolonged hospital stays, additional surgeries, or long-term complications.
- Medication errors: Surgical patients often receive medications before, during, and after surgery. Mistakes like giving the wrong drug, incorrect dosage, or failing to check for allergies can have serious or even fatal consequences.
Even highly trained surgeons and nurses can make mistakes, especially under pressure or when working in understaffed environments.
Causes of medical errors
Several factors can contribute to medical errors. Some are related to human mistakes, while others stem from problems within the healthcare system.
- Lack of communication: Clear communication among the surgical team is essential. Misunderstandings about the surgical plan, patient information, or equipment can lead to serious errors.
- Fatigue or burnout: Surgeons and medical staff often work long hours. Fatigue can impair judgment, concentration, and coordination, increasing the risk of mistakes.
- Inadequate training: If a surgeon or assistant is not properly trained or experienced with a specific procedure, they may be more likely to make errors.
- Faulty equipment: Malfunctioning surgical tools or devices can lead to complications. For example, if a monitor stops working, the surgical team may miss crucial changes in the patient’s condition.
- Rushed procedures: When hospitals are busy, some surgeries may be rushed to make room for other patients. This can result in shortcuts or overlooked details.
- Poor pre-surgical planning: Before surgery, the team should review the patient’s medical history and plan the procedure carefully. Skipping this step can lead to errors during the operation.
Preventing medical errors requires action from both healthcare providers and patients.
Risk of surgical complications
The older a patient is, the more likely he/she will have complications during/after surgery. The risk of complications also increases with certain types of surgeries. Heart and lung surgeries have the highest rate of complications; gut and digestive system operations have the next highest rate, followed by procedures involving bones and joints.
Deborah Mate is the president and CEO of the Institute of Healthcare Improvement, a non-profit organization that advocates for patient safety. Mate said this problem, “should be alarming to everyone in the industry that is paying attention.” (CNN.com)
How to prevent surgical medical errors
Steps for healthcare providers:
- Implement safety protocols, such as pre-surgery checklists.
- Foster a culture of communication where team members feel comfortable speaking up about concerns.
- Provide ongoing training to ensure staff are skilled in the latest techniques.
- Use advanced technology to monitor patients and detect issues early.
Steps for patients:
- Choose a reputable hospital and surgeon with experience in the procedure you need.
- Ask questions about the surgery, including risks and recovery expectations.
- Provide a detailed medical history, including allergies and medications.
- Confirm the surgical plan with your doctor before the procedure.
- Bring someone with you if you’re going in for surgery. The patient is not always as mentally alert as normal or is in a lot of pain.
By staying informed and advocating for patient safety, we can work towards a healthcare system that minimizes these preventable mistakes.
Surgical Safety Checklist in South Carolina
The World Health Organization (WHO) surgical safety checklist has been shown to reduce complications and mortality when used. The checklist includes important steps and things to check before surgery starts, during the surgery, and before the patient leaves the operating room.
In South Carolina, this checklist has become standard procedure in many healthcare facilities. Successful use of the surgical safety checklist is estimated to save the lives of up to 500 South Carolinians per year. (SCHA.org) Unfortunately, this checklist is not mandatory all over the United States.
For more information, see our surgical safety checklist blog .
Legal and emotional impact of medical errors
Surgical complications don’t just affect a patient’s health—they can also have legal and emotional consequences.
- Financial burden: Additional surgeries, hospital stays, and medications can lead to overwhelming medical bills. Many patients also lose income if they are unable to work while recovering.
- Emotional distress: Experiencing a medical error can cause anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress. Patients may lose trust in healthcare providers, making future medical care more difficult.
- Legal action: Patients who suffer from surgical complications caused by medical errors may have the right to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. These claims aim to provide compensation for damages such as medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Surgical complications caused by medical errors can have devastating effects on patients and their families. While mistakes can happen, many are preventable with proper care, planning, and communication.
Holding healthcare providers accountable not only helps you recover but also encourages improvements in the healthcare system. A medical malpractice attorney can help you understand your rights and options.
Contact Medical Malpractice Attorney David L. Hood for a Free Consultation
If you or someone you care about has suffered surgical complications caused by a medical error, please schedule your free consultation by calling The Law Offices of David L. Hood at (843) 491-6025 or filling out our brief online contact form.
We know how difficult it can be to deal with the immediate and long-term effects of a serious malpractice-related injury. At The Law Offices of David L. Hood, we work hard to make things simple for you.
After a free case evaluation, if we believe we can help you and your family, medical malpractice attorney David L. Hood, co-counsel, and our team of experts will vigorously pursue your case to get you the best result we can achieve. Let us put our years of experience to work for you!
