Chicago Surgical Malpractice Attorneys

Mishandling of Surgical Instruments

Every time we undergo surgery, we are putting faith in the surgical staff to follow the safety protocols expected in their profession. One of the most important tasks that surgeons and their assisting nurses face over the course of a surgical procedure is checking that their surgical instruments are hygienic and properly used. When surgeons fail to follow the correct process, they put their patients at serious risk for health complications and even death.

Chicago medical malpractice lawyers Friedman & Bonebrake represent clients who have suffered injuries due to the mishandling of surgical instruments.

Safety Protocol

In order to ensure the safety of their patients, the surgical staff is expected to follow the same steps before, during and after every procedure.

• Before: All instruments must be completely sterilized before use. In addition to manual washing, hospitals generally provide other methods such as ultrasonic cleaning and automatic washing. If instruments are not properly sanitized, patients are at risk for serious infections.
• During: The staff must ensure that instruments remain clean during the procedure by wiping them with clean sponges soaked in sterilized water at regular intervals. They also must keep on instruments such as clamps and dilators to make sure they are in place and working. They must use every instrument in the way that it is designed and be careful not to make any errors.
• After: Before sending the patient out of the operating room, the staff must carefully check for any instruments or sponges that have been left in the patient. They are also responsible for checking for signs of infection during and immediately after the surgery.

Contact a Chicago Medical Malpractice Attorney

If you or a loved one has been injured by a surgical staff that failed to properly clean and correctly use their instruments, you may have grounds for a lawsuit. To speak with an experienced Chicago surgical malpractice lawyer, contact the offices of Friedman & Bonebrake at 312-466-8200.