Leaving Foreign Objects in the Body
When we visit the hospital or a doctor’s office for surgical treatment, we assume that the people and physicians taking care of us are well-trained and competent. For the most part, this is true. Doctors go through years of training and gaining field experience before they are legally allowed to practice on patients so that they understand the importance of their jobs and don’t make careless errors. However, even the most capable physicians can succumb to negligence and inadvertently harm their patients.
The Dangers of Foreign Objects inside the Body
One of the most dangerous mistakes a surgeon can make is to leave a foreign object in the body cavity after performing an operation. This mindless error can cause a number of complications, including the following:
- Infections
- Internal wounds and bleeding
- Failure to properly heal
- Nerve damage
- Extreme pain
The most common objects that are left in the body following a surgical procedure include gauze, sponges, needles, clamps, towels, and forceps. Most of the time, if these foreign bodies are not located and removed promptly, then the patient will suffer from severe pain or life-threatening injuries and infections.
Contact Us
If you would like to learn more about the dangers of leaving foreign objects inside the body after a surgery, or if you have been a victim of this type of medical malpractice, contact the Washington medical malpractice attorneys of Fuller & Fuller today at 800-570-4878.