Surgeon mistakes in the OR

[MsHB]

A couple of worrying incidents have happened lately at work. Such as surgeons putting holes where there shouldn't be any. Not a nice subject I know, but are you willing to share how often it happens in your OR?

[carcha]

MsHB, I dont think any of us have worked in an OR where mistakes by either doctors or nurses dont happen. I know some surgeons appear to have worst luck then others but I think the thing to do then is to keep a private record for your own use to see if a pattern is emerging. I have found that in that situation the problem usually resolves itself.

[angel03]

MsHB, I dont think any of us have worked in an OR where mistakes by either doctors or nurses dont happen. I know some surgeons appear to have worst luck then others but I think the thing to do then is to keep a private record for your own use to see if a pattern is emerging. I have found that in that situation the problem usually resolves itself.

I agree things happen......sometime no fault of the surgeon ....other times skill is just not up to par.....I agree to keep a journal......

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

We had a perfusionist put the circuit in the cardiopulmonary bypass pump backwards, causing the patient to receive a humongous air embolus just last month. Kid survived, with multiple cerebral infarcts...

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

A nick in the urinary bladder last week during a TAH BSO. Surgeon refused to order a Foley to be inserted, so you can imagine how collapsed that bladder was.

[MsHB]

So do the surgeons have to front up to some kind of committee after these mistakes?

[DNRme]

So do the surgeons have to front up to some kind of committee after these mistakes?

I worked in QA for a while when I thought a suit job might be nice.

It should always get to the dept. M&M review. Sometimes, though, it was not always brought to the attention of the proper people. The hospital then decided that all surgical cases should be reviewed by a nurse. The nurse then brought the case to M&M for review. Most times it was just said to be a known possible complication. Very frustrating. Did have one incident,though where a physician was asked to resign after repeated cases brought to committee. Once it is documented that the hospital knows about a frequent offender, they must act.

It seems you may be looking for some direction with questionable practice. First, be careful. Only discuss facts, not your opinions. You don't want to open yourself up for slander accusations. Second, call your QA department. You may be able to do this anonymously. Finally, every place I have worked for the last 15 years has had an "ethics hotline" all calls are kept confidential.

This may be a good option if you are not confident in the internal review process.

Remember, in the OR, above all else, we are the patient's advocate.