Wrong Site Surgery - Research Paper Example

Wrong Site Surgery Wrong Site Surgery Wrong site surgery is a form of medical malpractice that exists in some of the medical institutions around the world. High level of sloppiness in procedures and detail while undertaking a surgical operation is the main reason for this malpractice. This sloppiness is something many people in society do not intend to see in a surgical team that is responsible for taking care of many sick people. As much as explanations for these malpractices exist, there should be no excuse as to why they are present in modern society (Spry, 2009). Especially not with all the technology that surrounds medical teams to ensure everything runs smoothly in the operating room. This paper will review the risks that are involved in such medical malpractice. Also, it will look at some of the steps and measures being taken to reduce such mishaps in the medical field. Wrong site surgery, or WSS as it is so commonly identified, is not only a problem for the patient. It presents a problem to the surgical and clinical team as a whole. The medical department involved in the running of things during WSS is responsible for its actions. They have to stand by them when questioned by the relevant authority when such cases arise. WSS occurs due to poor, pre-operative planning that involves preparation for surgery by surgeons and the relevant parties. Also, lack of institutional controls from the medical team is a factor that contributes to WSS (Spry, 2009). Sometimes, it is termed as a failure of communication between the parties, starting from the patient, to the surgeon. Question one In the wrong site surgery, there is the possibility of the surgeon and clinicians of working on the wrong patient. This also falls under the definition of wrong site surgery. The clinicians, in this case, have patients with almost similar symptoms that need addressing. However, when the time comes for them to operate on the said patient, sloppiness that may exist among the clinicians may lead to the operation of the wrong patient (Stahel, 2009). Identifying such a risk before it develops is extremely easy. Handling patients depending on the degree of their medical need is one way they can strive to reduce these cases. This is by putting them in wards designed for their distinctive needs. In the event, there is any confusion it should not be because they have the wrong patient on the operating table. A scenario of operating on the wrong patient is sometimes classified under a, “never event.” This is because it is never meant to occur in the first place due to its avoidable nature (Stahel, 2009). To remedy some of these situations, worldwide awareness is being created to assist in the fight against WSS. There are organizations that claim in the event of an operation, the conditions should be set right. This means that everything should be in the right condition to avoid the mishaps that sometimes occur (Spry, 2009). There have been instances where the X-ray machines have been blamed for getting the scans wrong. This is not the machines fault rather; it is the medical team’s fault. This is in having placed the machine in a manner that may read the patient’s diagnosis wrong. It then gives information to medical personnel who end up operating on the wrong body part (Panesar, 2011). This awareness enables medical personnel to be more keen and aware of the immediate medical environment. This, in turn, helps them perform best to their ability while taking care of the patients and while on call in the operating room. Progress made in technology should be of substantial help to many health practitioners. This is since there will not be the recording of wrong diagnosis on the right patients, or right diagnosis on wrong patients (Spry, 2009). Many people’s lives depend on the careful, proper, planned operation procedures in the medical field. This is so they may go home having reaped the fruits of a successful operation. All this depends on the communication between the personnel in the said institution. If this was to happen, there would be the recording of minimal medical mishaps around a medical facility, and everyone may go home happy (Spry, 2009). Question two In order to remedy the situation many may find themselves in, organizations are keen to create the perfect medical environment. This is for both the medical personnel, and the patients. This medical environment is based on providing a conducive atmosphere for patients who are willing to trust the medical team with their lives. Also, create a situation where the medical team is equipped to deal, or handle any situation. In doing so, it is highly likely that the “never events” are likely to never occur while in the presence of such character, and mannerism from all the people involved (Stahel, 2009). An organization may be keen on being more communicative when it comes to certain issues in the field. This is from the junior staff members, to the senior most members. Without communication, it is likely that the problems may keep recurring. Therefore, no solution may be found early enough to save the lives of those in need. As the communication channels become open, patients too, may get the opportunity to voice some of their concerns to the relevant parties. This prompts the clinicians to be more vigilant in their pursuit of near perfect surgery when the time comes (Kwaan, 2006). The hiring of more help in the organization can be of help to the reduction of WSS. This is in the sense that, if a medical field is overwhelmed, it is likely that the staff members are set to blunder. If their number is increased, the workload is reduced for all of them, thus making them more efficient and effective. It is a known fact that firms hire few medical staff personnel so that they could cut back on costs (Kwaan, 2006). This, according to many, is the remedy for disaster. Through the hiring of other employees to assist with the workload, a load of pressure is relieved from the others. Ample rest given to surgeons and operating staff may be a way for an organization to cope with reducing the level of WSS. In most cases, where there is the carrying out of wrong surgery, it is probably through overworking by surgeons. The continuous hours that a surgeon may be subjected to in an organization may be a contributing factor in the rising cases of WSS (Kwaan, 2006). This is most probably since they want to make more money on the clock. To help reduce these cases, it is best that an organization reduces the working hours of its surgeons in order for them to provide quality work on the operating table. Moreover, time out is something that can help reduce WSS. This involves taking the time by surgeons and nurses in the operating room before surgery to prepare a few minutes for a briefing (Stahel, 2009). This briefing could be fundamental in the manner in which they handle the operation, and the patient. Question three There are some articles written to provide legitimate methods in which many health practitioners and institutions can reduce the level of WSS. Here, are some of them: Stahel, P. F. (2009). Patient safety in surgery. World Journal of Surgical Oncology. The author suggests that many of the events that occur in the operating room should not occur. If they do, it is because of sloppiness from the clinical team. He suggests that the “never events” can be prevented with the following of the common procedure. However, this information can apply to many medical fields. He talks of some methods that can help the clinical team be more vigil in the field, for example, like time out. This is the same as the one discussed above. Kwaan, M. R. (2006). Wrong-site surgery. Journal of American Medical Association. In this article, the author suggests that in the medical field, having mishaps occur is unacceptable. To have an institution base its principles on mishaps is wrong, and that it is tantamount that all those involved should be brought to book. He suggests that it is crucial to prevent these mishaps from happening, rather than wait for them to happen, and then later try to make amends. It is the time, according to the article, for institutions to seek standardized solutions to some of the problems surrounding the medical fields. Panesar, S. S. (2011). Can the surgical checklist reduce the risk of wrong-site surgery in orthopaedics? Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research. This article suggests that the tools used in certain industries should be used in the surgical industry. This is so that the risk in surgery is reduced. One such tool is the surgery checklist, developed by the World Health Organization. Such tools can help medical institutions reduce the risk involved in surgery, and improve patient safety. It can also aid in technical precision while in the operating room. Question four The comparison between these articles and the changes carried out today in many institutions is almost similar. They all focus on the improvement of technical precision in the operating room. The results being sought after are similar in all aspects of the medical field. Patient safety is the first priority, protecting them and the surgeons responsible for them in the operating room (Spry, 2009). The institution and medical field’s reputation is on the line when it comes to WSS. Their credibility is tested when there is doubt in the minds of the public when it comes to surgery. Transparency in the medical field has led to the reporting of many more cases of WSS. It is an admirable thing that people are aware of what goes on, but it may not be entirely fair to the medical personnel in the field. They do their best to take care of all those that are in need. As much as there are some errors, it is imperative that their efforts are noticed. In organizations, the advocating of these processes is underway so as to ensure the cases are reduced to a minimal level (spry, 2009). In conclusion, many believe that the medical field is trying its best to ensure that the people’s safety comes first. They say, to err is human; this is something people should be familiar with all around the world. Not everyone is affected by WSS. For those who have been negatively impacted by WSS, they can take legal action if the action is seen to bring them peace. However, for all those who have seen the positive side of surgery can appreciate the presence of a competent, medical field that has surpassed the level of sloppiness to perfect the art of science. References Kwaan, M. R. (2006). Wrong-site surgery. Journal of American Medical Association. Retrieved from http://archsurg.jamanetwork.com/data/Journals/SURG/9632/slt1006-2-1.pdf.png Panesar, S. S. (2011). Can the surgical checklist reduce the risk of wrong-site surgery in orthopaedics? Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research. Retrieved from http://www.josr-online.com/content/6/1/18/ Spry, C. (2009). Essentials of perioperative nursing. New York: Bantam Books. Stahel, P. F. (2009). Patient safety in surgery. World Journal of Surgical Oncology. Retrieved from http://www.pssjournal.com/content/3/1/14/ Read More