Hundreds of Medical Errors Occur in England, There Are Parts of the Body That Are Operated Wrongly

JAKARTA - Hundreds of British national health service patients have suffered serious injuries due to medical errors that could have been prevented. The case is quite serious. Surgery on the wrong body part, surgical instruments left in the patient's body, to the wrong blood group.

According to a report by The Independent, quoted on Monday, June 8, the latest data from the NHS (National Health Service) or the UK's national health service recorded 403 cases of never events in a year to March. Never events are patient safety incidents that are considered very serious and should not happen because they can be prevented.

A total of 166 cases related to operations in the wrong location. The details, 17 procedures that should be performed on one patient were actually performed on another patient. There are also 40 medical procedures given on the wrong side or part of the body.

The data also recorded eight procedures performed outside the patient's planned operation. One patient even had an organ or body part removed, although the original action was aimed at preserving it.

Six patients had cuts on the wrong part of the body. A total of 30 injections were given in the wrong location. Then, 38 patients received nerve blocks on the wrong side of the body. Nerve blocks are actions to turn off the feeling in certain parts of the body before medical procedures.

In addition, 22 patients underwent incorrect skin lesion removal or a wrong biopsy. A biopsy is the taking of a sample of body tissue for medical examination.

Another mistake is also striking. There are 121 cases of foreign objects left in the patient's body after medical or surgical procedures. The objects include cotton balls, guide wires, nasal tampons, central catheters, surgical gloves, surgical instruments, surgical needles, surgical gauze, and vaginal gauze.

A total of 50 cases involved the wrong installation of implants or prostheses. The cases include hip implants, intrauterine contraceptives, knees, and eye lenses.

The Independent also reported 17 cases of medication being given through the wrong route. Of these, 15 cases occurred when drinking medication was given through an infusion.

A total of 14 patients experienced insulin overdose, mostly due to the use of the wrong syringe. Nine patients received the wrong blood type.

Three other cases involved patients falling from windows that were poorly secured. Two patients suffered blisters or burns from too hot water. One patient was connected to air, not oxygen.

The number of 403 incidents was the same as the previous year.

An NHS spokesperson, quoted by The Independent, said NHS staff worked very hard to keep patients safe. He said such incidents were very rare. However, every hospital or NHS service must investigate incidents, learn lessons, and make improvements.