Wrong-site, wrong-procedure, wrong-patient errors (WSPEs) continue to occur at an unreasonably high frequency as reflected in our reported claims. This is especially true for spinal surgeries. The causes can often be traced back to nonadherence to the Universal Protocol, erroneous site markings, and/or failure to perform a “timeout” or checklist. Some providers apparently believe, “this would never happen to me,” or “I would never make such an error.” Unfortunately, they often discover that anyone can find themselves the target of a malpractice claim as a result of this type of mistake, and as pointed out in an earlier article, few medical errors are as indefensible as WSPEs.
The contents of The Sentinel are intended for educational/informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Policyholders are urged to consult with their personal attorney for legal advice, as specific legal requirements may vary from state to state and/or change over time.
