Retained Foreign Objects After Surgery

There are many different kinds of complications that can occur during surgery. A common complication is a retained object left inside of a patient after surgery. This retained object complication is getting increasingly more common and it is entirely preventable.

There are a number of safeguards hospitals employ to prevent retained foreign objects after surgery. However sometimes the system breaks down due to human error or unforeseen circumstances related to the surgery. Leaving a retained object in a patient after surgery is a clear cut case of negligence in Florida.

A lawsuit for retained foreign objects after surgery falls into the category of medical malpractice lawsuits. In order to establish a medical malpractice lawsuit, the patient or plaintiff has the burden of proof to show four elements:

1. The doctor had a duty to remove the object
2. The doctor breached the duty to remove the object
3. The patient suffered injury
4. The injury must be caused by the doctor’s breach

Florida Retained Foreign Objects After Surgery Attorneys

If you have undergone surgery and feel that you have suffered a retained foreign object injury, contact the attorneys at Levine and Glassman. Lisa Levine focuses in the areas of medical malpractice that affect women, including failure to diagnose breast and cervical cancer, plastic surgery errors, birth injuries, delivery room negligence and defective drugs used by women. Leaving an object in a patient after surgery is the height of negligence and can easily be prevented. It is possible for an object to be left inside a patient during the most ordinary procedures. She prides herself on her dedication to women’s health issues, and has been featured on Good Morning America and NBC News.

Mark Glassman focuses a great deal of his practices on injuries resulting from defective and dangerous drugs, as well as pharmaceutical litigation, and wrongful death litigation. Sometimes objects left inside patients can cause serious health problems that could even result in death. It is rare for death to occur from retained foreign objects, but it is still negligence to leave a foreign object inside a patient after surgery. Mr. Glassman has been involved in pharmaceutical cases involving the infamous diet drug, Fen-Phen, and his cases have been highlighted in professional journals such as The Daily Business Review and Contractor Magazine

Retained Foreign Objects After Surgery Information Center

• What is a retained object?
• What are some commonly retained objects?
• What are the complications associated with retained objects?
• How can retained objects be prevented after surgery?
• How we can help

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What is a retained object?

A retained object is anything that is left in a patient’s body after surgery, delivery of a baby or any other procedure. Generally it is a piece of medical equipment like a sponge or scalpel.

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What are some commonly retained objects?

Most times the retained objects are pieces of medical equipment that nurses and surgeons use to effectively do the medical procedure. The most common retained foreign objects are:

• Sponges
• Clamps
• Retractors
• Gauze
• Cotton Swabs
• Scissors
• Pins

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What are the complications associated with retained objects?

Generally there is no lasting harm from retained objects if they are taken out right away. However if these objects stay in the body there is the risk that serious infections can develop. With sharper instruments such as blades and scissors there is the possibility that blood vessels and organs could be damaged by the object.

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How can retained objects be prevented after surgery?

Hospitals have a number of checks to ensure that retained objects incidents do not occur. Some common guidelines hospitals employ to reduce retained objects are:

• Effective communication
• Application and adherence to standard counting procedures
• Checking the wound for objects before closing surgical sites
• Using x-rays and other technology to ensure no foreign objects are present

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How we can help

A patient suffering from a retained object after surgery does not occur every day. When surgery is performed, surgeons and nurses have to place sponges and other tools inside the body in order complete the procedure. It is standard for the nurses and lab surgery technicians to remove all the objects before the surgeon closes the incision. In fact it rises to the level of negligence and medical malpractice if the surgical team fails to remove foreign objects.

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Resources

Florida Board of Medicine - information about the Board of Medicine and how to file an online complaint.

Broward Health Department - comprehensive resource for public health issues in Broward County

Levine & Glassman, P.A. | Florida Retained Object Attorneys

If you or a loved one has suffered complications from a retained foreign object, you need to ensure you are well represented. The complications suffered could have been avoided and may have lasting consequences that can affect the quality of life for years to come. The attorneys at Levine & Glassman are experienced medical malpractice attorneys and are able to ensure that you receive fair compensation for the damages you or your loved one suffered. If you are anywhere in Florida, including: Fort Lauderdale, Miami, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, or the surrounding areas of Broward, Miami-Dade, or Palm Beach counties, contact Levine & Glassman for an analysis of your retained foreign object case.