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Surgical Error: Objects Left Inside Patients (Part B)

While it may be a challenge to nurses and other surgical team members to track the whereabouts of dozens of instruments and sponges during the course of a surgical procedure, it remains their duty and professional responsibility to ensure that no foreign objects are left inside a patient after surgery.

Preventing Foreign Objects Left in Patients

While the World Health Organization and The Joint Commission both offer standard protocols for patient safety during surgery-such as performing a post-operative instrument count-there are no national standardized procedures to prevent objects from being left in patients.

Much of the standards are left to the protocol of the hospital or surgical facility that is responsible for your care. If there is a lack of communication or failure to pay attention to detail on the part of the medical professionals, you may become the victim of medical malpractice by way of a surgical error, such as a retained foreign object.

Foreign Objects Left in Patients - The Effect on Patient Health

You may find it troubling to consider an object being left inside of you after surgery and the effects can do more than just make you feel squeamish. A retained foreign object can result in later complications, such as discomfort and pain. If left unattended an object left in the body after surgery can lead to infection, abscess or obstruction in the intestines. A retained foreign body can even result in death if the object is not discovered and removed.

Even after the retained foreign object is discovered, it may require an additional surgery and another hospital stay. You may already be struggling financially from the initial surgery and the additional procedure could cause more physical and financial strain. If you've been the victim of this type of surgical error, contact a medical malpractice lawyer in Chicago who can talk to you about your options for seeking financial redress.

Retained Foreign Object and Filing a Medical Malpractice Claim

In Illinois, there is a 2 year statute of limitations in which you must file your medical malpractice claim. This time limit applies to the date of injury or the date from which the injury was discovered. Keep in mind that these surgical errors are not always discovered immediately. It can take years before a patient finds out about a surgical error such as a sponge or needle being left behind in the body.

An experienced Chicago medical malpractice lawyer can advise you about your rights in a case of a retained foreign object, particularly if this surgical error led to you experiencing an infection, additional surgery or prolonged periods of pain and discomfort.

Contacting a Chicago Medical Malpractice Lawyer

At the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C, a Chicago medical malpractice lawyer will examine all aspects of your claim, determine liability, and aggressively pursue the full amount of compensation due to you or your loved one for any injuries or loss of life as the result of medical malpractice. Contact us today for a free case evaluation - 312-263-1080.

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