When Arizona residents go in for surgery, they trust the medical staff to know what they’re doing. Patients expect the process to go smoothly and to safely recover once the surgery is done. Though patients have these expectations, sometimes mistakes are made during surgery that seriously impact a patient’s health from that point forward. One of the most common mistakes that medical professionals make is leaving instruments and other items behind in the body after surgery.
How often are surgical instruments or other items left behind in the body after surgery?
Many people would be surprised to discover that there are actually thousands of instruments left behind in bodies after surgeries each year in the United States. The range of objects left behind is pretty vast and varies depending on the type of surgery that was performed. Some of the instruments or items left behind include scissors, clamps, scopes, surgical masks, scalpels, sponges, and many more. Needles and sponges are the most common type of instruments left behind. Needles are used to stitch up organs or muscle, and sponges are used to soak up blood and fluid. If they’re left behind, it’s typically because of the hectic environment that can sometimes take place in an operating room.
These items can cause major health issues for patients. In some cases, the items left behind have caused internal bleeding and even death.
What can someone do if they’re dealing with medical mistakes by doctors?
People who are dealing with medical mistakes by doctors may benefit from working with attorneys who have experience with medical malpractice cases. It’s important to hold negligent parties accountable for their errors and to get justice for you or your loved one.