A university hospital has made a serious error by performing a kidney transplant on the wrong patient. The donor kidney used in the transplant was supposed to go to a different recipient. The hospital in question has yet to release specifics on how the mix-up happened. There is no current information about whether either patient will pursue legal action against the hospital or the staff involved.
A potentially deadly error
Performing surgery on the wrong patient is an error that should never occur. There are national standards in place that are supposed to prevent this from happening. Yet, somehow, in this case, the wrong patient was given a donor kidney. Fortunately for that individual, the kidney is compatible, and they are now recovering. The other patient who was supposed to receive the donor’s kidney will now have their surgery delayed.
So far, two hospital employees have been suspended in relation to this incident. An investigation is pending. Depending on the findings of the investigation, action may be taken against the hospital by the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network for noncompliance with their guidelines.
Legal recourse for surgical errors
When a never event happens, like in this case where the wrong patient received a donor’s organ, there may be cause for legal action. Medical care facilities have many procedures in place that are supposed to protect patients from surgical errors and other types of medical malpractice. Undergoing surgery comes with certain risks, which can be greatly increased when the surgery isn’t performed as intended. A patient in Texas who has been the victim of medical malpractice of any type can benefit from legal advice from an experienced attorney.