Wrong leg amputation focuses attention on surgical errors and other medical mistakes
“Human error” resulted in a man having the wrong leg amputated at a major Austrian hospital. The error occurred when a healthcare employee marked the wrong leg for amputation during pre-surgical procedures.
The mistake was not noticed anytime during the surgery, or even during the immediate postoperative period. It was recognised during a routine wound dressing change, about 48 hours postoperatively.
“A disastrous combination of circumstances led to the patient’s right leg being amputated instead of his left,” the hospital’s statement said. “We would also like to affirm that we will be doing everything to unravel the case, to investigate all internal processes and critically analyze them. Any necessary steps will immediately be taken.”
Source: Lansing Injury Law News, 24 May 2021