A
UK
survey has suggested that the damage to underlying structures is the commonest
complication for which patients successfully sue surgeons.
- The survey
found that damage to veins, nerves, and other underlying structures
accounted for nearly one third of 115 successful claims, with infection
accounting for another 12%.
- Patients
also sued successfully after they were burnt by diathermy, after
spirit–based skin preparations ignited, and after adverse reactions to
iodine.
- Retained
items and failed or delayed diagnosis accounted for 8% and 7% respectively
of successful medical negligence claims.
- The
retained items—which included a pair of forceps and a surgical pack after
a hemorrhoid surgery occurred despite formal written procedures for swab
and needle counts in operating theatres.
- The top
award was for £550000 ($880000) and was allocated to relatives of a
patient with a history of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism who
died of an embolism four weeks after elective surgery for varicose veins.
The patient had received no anticoagulant treatment until two weeks after
surgery.
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