Surgical Sponge left in Patients
Each year, approximately 1,500 people in the United States have surgical sponges or other surgical objects unintentionally left inside them after surgery, according to published reports. This happens even though surgeons, operating room nurses, and other medical personnel are trained to avoid this avoidable and unacceptable medical mistake.
How to Avoid Leaving Surgical Sponge in Patient
The medical field has well-recognized procedures designed to avoid retained sponges and surgical instruments after surgery. This includes written protocols that require operating room nurses to take sponge and instrument counts before, and at the end, of surgery. In addition, a surgeon has the responsibility to check internally to ensure that no sponge or instrument is left behind. The surgeon cannot rely solely on the nurses’ report that the final sponge and instrument count is correct.
Instruments and Sponges left in the Body after Surgery
Despite training and procedures, surgical sponges are left in the body. In fact, sponge manufacturers now make surgical sponges with radio frequency tags. At the end of the surgical procedure, a wand is passed over the patient’s body, and any retained sponge will cause an audible and visual alarm.
Legal Claims for Sponge left in Patient
When a sponge is left in a patient after surgery, it often causes internal injuries, and sometimes even death. The victim of this medical mistake has a claim for medical malpractice, and may be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering; medical expenses; lost income; and effects on activities.
Maryland Medical Malpractice Lawyer
Medical malpractice attorney Jonathan Scott Smith has been helping injured people for more than 30 years. He has handled successfully medical malpractice cases, including cases where a sponge was left in a patient and where a sponge was left in the abdomen after surgery.
Mr. Smith’s extensive trial experience — and track record of successful Past Results — has earned him the recognition of his peers, with an AV® Preeminent™* Peer Review Rating in the Martindale-Hubbell peer review rating process, and a 10.0 Superb AVVO rating. These are the highest ratings possible for legal skill, ethical practice, lawyer’s years in practice, disciplinary history, professional achievements and industry recognition.
Contact Us
If you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury because a sponge was left in the body, a sponge was left in the abdomen, or a surgical instrument was left in the body, contact us.
Mr. Smith has many years of experience working with medical experts, medical records, and medical data. He has obtained some of the highest personal injury verdicts and settlements in his area. He fights hard for his clients. That’s why clients think so highly of him.