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Surgical Consent

Posted , 5 users are following.

stephanie53613
stephanie53613

Afternoon all, 

Has anyone else ever signed a surgical consent from prior to elective surgery to wakeup from the surgery to discover that the surgeon has "done something completly different". Not to save a life, stop excessive bleeding etc just because he "felt it was it was in best interest". No next of kin were consulted, in fact I was miles away from home at a specialist hospital on my own. 

Longer hospital stay, longer recovery, bigger scar the list could go on. 

If so, what actions did you take and what was the outcome?

Thank you  

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • craig84609
    craig84609 stephanie53613

    Posted

    In the USA this would be the time to get a lawer and take matters to a judge. In other words a big law suit. That is gross negligence in my opinion and also malpractice. These kind of things are rare. Most of these specialists are smart enough to keep things like this from happening. Still things like this do happen I recall a family member was given the wrong drug by the pharmacist and it killed that person so these things do happen but at least not often. They shouldn't happen at all, but there is that human error thing that goes into play at times and can have trajic results.
  • nicola29615
    nicola29615 stephanie53613

    Posted

    Hi stephanie

    I have awoken from surgery to find what i had signed for hasnt been done

  • Pinoyboy
    Pinoyboy stephanie53613

    Posted

    If you are in the U.S., the best thing is to see an attorney.  Give him a copy of the consent form.  Tell him what you were scheduled to have done, and what was actually done.  He/she can advise you of your recourse against the doctor.
  • Marina_Dee
    Marina_Dee stephanie53613

    Posted

    This is malpractice and should never happen. You should consult a lawyer who will get all your medical records and a third medical party will be asked to look at them. You may have to be examined by this person as well.      The outcome depends on whether your case is proven.   Are you sure there was not  alternative surgery described on the consent form which the surgeon could pursue if necessary and with your consent?     If so,this should have been described to you beforehand so that you could make an informed decision.   
    • stephanie53613
      stephanie53613 Marina_Dee

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply.

      Absolutely no mention for any alternatives,either in outpatients, anesthetist, ward staff. The same staff had even booked me in to the hospital hotel for the day after surgery as the consented op required a 24hr stay to enable another day to recover before travelling home Woke up to be told 'you are with us until tues' (7 days). I had packed for 24hr stay, I was on my own and remained so for 6 days. Apparently 'it was in my best interest' to me proves that it 'wasn't to save my life' 'prevent further damage' prevent further blood loss'. I thought I can't possibly be the only one this has happened to and was hoping for some real hard evidence/advice of what to do or outcome when hospitals don't answer but circumnavigate the all important question. Thank you.

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