This disturbs me. Does it disturb you? We’ve all heard the stories about patients getting the wrong foot amputated, and that’s bad enough. But the wrong side of the brain?
Hospital Makes 3rd Brain Surgery Mistake
If I ever need brain surgery, I really want to have a doctor who, during the surgery prep, doesn’t have to brush up on his Left/Right discernment.
And what galls me is that this apparently only got noticed when it happened for the third time and resulted in a patient’s death. There are some things in life you might not deserve a second chance in…and I think screwing up brain surgery is one of them.
This is bigger than rocket science. Also, I think they need to raise the health alert level from “extremely concerned” to “holy crap, we’re freaking out!” Only then will I be reassured.
I see that smile.
This all happened at a TEACHING HOSPITAL.
What were they teaching? A course in how NOT to do brain surgery?
Note: one of the surgeries was done by a chief neurosurgery resident. That person had at least six years of additional training beyond medical school.
More is not always better.