A woman had an unexpected conversation with her doctor and is now suing the hospital she’s relied upon for years, according to local sources. Delaware residents may be shocked to discover the woman’s doctor informed her that an 8-inch piece of tubing was left in her chest from a procedure conducted over seven years ago. Surgical errors of this type are usually caught immediately, but, in this case, the doctors in question appear to have lied to the patient about the nature of the error.
According to the medical malpractice suit currently being filed by the 60-year-old woman, a 2007 surgery conducted at the same hospital where she was born saved her life. However, apparently doctors somehow left an 8-inch length of catheter inside her aorta, the primary artery in the heart. Now, that catheter has calcified and poses a significant health risk.
The woman says she was told the length of tubing was a stent that had been intentionally implanted in her. Medical experts appear to disagree, saying the “smoking gun” indicating surgical errors is right there in plain sight in every X-ray she has had since the surgery, some 22 at last count. The woman is now suing the hospital for an undisclosed sum.
It has been said that to err is human, but Delaware residents hold medical professionals to a higher standard. Surgical errors of this type, particularly when covered up for this length of time, can be potentially fatal to unknowing victims. It is important to seek legal representation prior to filing a medical malpractice suit to ensure American health care professionals continue to be accountable for their successes and their errors alike.
Source: The Dallas Morning News, “Lawsuit: Parkland hospital erred, left 8-inch tube in woman’s body for 7 years without telling her”, Naomi Martin, April 18, 2016
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