OOPS? Wrong leg amputated

#3
#3
VolFaninFla said:
Man has wrong leg amputated in 'tragic' hospital mix-up - CNN
The 82-year-old was due to have his left leg removed on Tuesday, but due to "human error" the right leg was amputated above the knee instead, the Freistadt Clinic said Friday.
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No excuse for this in this day and age. A proper surgery checklist includes both the surgeon AND the patient initialing the operative site. My husband did it two weeks ago for cataract surgery, and my daughter did it today for reconstructive knee surgery. Today the anesthesiologist even took a picture of the marks. The entire operative team (surgeon(s), techs, nurses, anesthesia) huddle before surgery start and agree on what they’re doing.

The Checklist Manifesto

 
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#5
#5
"Squirrel!", I know, but I just started the "Dr. Death" podcast and it's crazy...
 
#6
#6
VolNExile said:
No excuse for this in this day and age. A proper surgery checklist includes both the surgeon AND the patient initialing the operative site. My husband did it two weeks ago for cataract surgery, and my daughter did it today for reconstructive knee surgery. Today the anesthesiologist even took a picture of the marks. The entire operative team (surgeon(s), techs, nurses, anesthesia) huddle before surgery start and agree on what they’re doing.

The Checklist Manifesto

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Ha, I had cataract surgery yesterday, I must have been asked a dozen times "which eye are we doing today". Everyone was in agreement the whole time. I even had a sticker on me saying left eye. But then you're awake during cataract surgery so if they prepare the wrong eye you get a chance to let them know.
 
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#9
#9
VolFaninFla said:
I had a hip replacement in 2018.
Got to the clinic at 6:00 AM and reviewed the paperwork for the operation.
It showed a right hip and not the left hip which was the one I needed replaced. Averted a fiasco.
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I don’t let anyone I know, family, friend, neighbor, or the local dog catcher, go into the hospital alone. Thumbs up to you for catching it and hollering!
 
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#10
#10
walkenvol said:
Wonder what the assigned value of the good leg will be for an 82 year old man?
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Yeah, BUT: this guy will wind up with two AKAs (above the knee amputations), instead of one with a remaining intact leg.

It would be tough enough to be fitted with prosthetic limbs for two BKAs (below the knee amputations), where at least they have intact knee joints and some lower leg stumps to attach to, giving him a chance at mobility with arm braces.

An 82-year-old with double AKAs is most likely doomed to life in a wheelchair and someone helping him in and out of bed, and on and off the toilet, fighting leg ulcers and bedsores until (most likely) infection takes him out.

He probably didn’t have an income ahead of him, but that is a sucky way to die.
 
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#12
#12
VolNExile said:
Yeah, BUT: this guy will wind up with two AKAs (above the knee amputations), instead of one with a remaining intact leg.

It would be tough enough to be fitted with prosthetic limbs for two BKAs (below the knee amputations), where at least they have intact knee joints and some lower leg stumps to attach to, giving him a chance at mobility with arm braces.

An 82-year-old with double AKAs is most likely doomed to life in a wheelchair and someone helping him in and out of bed, and on and off the toilet, fighting leg ulcers and bedsores until (most likely) infection takes him out.

He probably didn’t have an income ahead of him, but that is a sucky way to die.
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I would sue
 
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#13
#13
Pretty sure for all my knee surgeries the Dr came in and signed it to make sure beforehand
 
#17
#17
VolNExile said:
No excuse for this in this day and age. A proper surgery checklist includes both the surgeon AND the patient initialing the operative site. My husband did it two weeks ago for cataract surgery, and my daughter did it today for reconstructive knee surgery. Today the anesthesiologist even took a picture of the marks. The entire operative team (surgeon(s), techs, nurses, anesthesia) huddle before surgery start and agree on what they’re doing.

The Checklist Manifesto

Click to expand...

that's the truth....
when my mom was going to have her partial knee replacement several years ago, I used a sharpie to write a note a the non replacement knee advising them that if they were reading that, then they were in the wrong place
 
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#18
#18
Doctor approaches a patient in Hospital and says “I have some good news and bad news" so the patient says “What is the bad news?” the Doctor replies “I have had to amputate both your legs” so the patent says “Well what is the good news?” the Doctor replies "I have found someone to buy your slippers!
 
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