Wrong-site, wrong-patient surgeries happen more than you think

Earlier last month, a young British boy went into the hospital for surgery on an undescended testicle. It was supposed to be a “minimal operation,” according to the BBC. However, the surgeons mistakenly operated on the wrong side.

According to the BBC, the doctors admitted that inserted a camera into the healthy testicle by mistake. As a result, the young boy will remain infertile for the remainder of his life. Tragically, there are hundreds of stories like this across the United States and other countries each year.

The New York Times reported around 1,500 to 2,500 wrong-side, wrong-site, wrong-patient surgeries occur in the United States each year. However, the Joint Commission believes the number of botched surgeries could happen almost 50 times per week.

According to the Joint Commission, there are around 30 common reasons for wrong-site, wrong-side, wrong-patient surgeries. One of the most common reasons for surgical errors is scheduling. Scheduling errors commonly occur when administrative staff writes down inaccurate patient information, or nurses and doctors mistakenly read the wrong information before operating on a patient.

Additionally, scheduling errors tend to occur when a patient cancels a surgery. Medical staffs need accurate procedures to make sure surgeons perform the correct surgeries throughout the day, despite a change in the schedule.

Surgical errors can be devastating and have life-long consequences. If you or someone you love was a victim of a surgical error, consult with a legal professional to discuss your options and fight for the justice you deserve.