What happens after wrong sided surgery or other procedures?– The institution’s and physician’s experience described in the Providence Journal (August 4, 2007) after a craniotomy was performed on the wrong side is instructive. The State Health Department ordered the hospital to hire a consultant and to double check surgical sites. The surgeon was suspended from the hospital and ordered by the Health Department to stop doing surgery and to undergo an evaluation. The hospital apparently has had other cases of wrong sided surgery. After a previous case the resident involved said “he knew about the policy (referring to “time out”) but had never seen the form and had never seen anyone use the form.” I thank Dr. Kofke for providing me the links to this incident.
David S. Smith
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