Hospital Performs Fifth Wrong-Site Surgery in Two Years

One of the most desirable consequences of medical malpractice actions is the subsequent efforts on the part of hospitals and health care providers not to repeat past mistakes. A Rhode Island hospital reportedly has performed five wrong-site surgeries since 2007.

Wrong-site surgeries are exactly what the name implies. Surgery intended for one part of the body but performed on another. The incidence of this clear-cut medical malpractice, has been reduced through a variety of means. These  include writing on the body part to be operated on, having the surgical team confirm with the patient the whereabouts of the surgery and other measures.

Reportedly, the latest medical error involved a surgery on the wrong finger. The hospital was previously fined when three brain surgeries in 2007 were performed on the wrong side. http://wtopnews.com/?nid=456&sid=1794213