Preventable Medical Errors in Retained Surgical Objects

Preventable Medical Errors in Retained Surgical Objects

During surgery, doctors use sponges, clamps, and other instruments to assist with the procedure. Surgeons must remove these items before closing a surgical site, but when they fail to do so, retained objects can cause pain, infection, and even death. Preventable medical errors in retained surgical objects are known as “never events” — serious medical mistakes that should never happen when proper protocols are followed.

At Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., we have seen how these preventable mistakes disrupt lives. When there’s negligence in the operating room, patients face additional surgeries, extended hospital stays, increased medical expenses, and lifelong complications. Our Chicago medical malpractice lawyers hold healthcare providers accountable for these failures. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation initial consultation to discuss your case.

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What Is a Retained Surgical Object?

Retained surgical objects are items mistakenly left inside the body during or after surgical procedures. They can include instruments, sponges, needles, screws, and more. These objects become extremely dangerous and painful if they are not removed. For example, gossypiboma, which is the condition resulting from a retained surgical sponge, can cause fistulas, peritonitis, or abscesses. It can also erode into the gastrointestinal tract and cause intestinal obstruction.

Never events like foreign objects left in the body after surgery are entirely avoidable. In other words, they result from a lapse in procedure or oversight. Still, these events happen when a surgical team fails to follow proper methods consistently.

When these objects are left in the body, another surgery is often required. This second surgery increases risks such as infection, requires longer hospital stays, and causes major emotional distress. Patients trust their healthcare providers to keep them safe, but retained surgical items can destroy that trust and seriously harm the patient’s overall well-being.

How Can Surgeons Avoid Leaving Objects in Patients?

Every healthcare provider involved in surgical procedures has a responsibility to make patient safety an absolute priority. That means following protocols designed to stop retained surgical objects from occurring in the first place. The most common rules and practices include the following:

  • Item Count Systems – Tracking all tools, sponges, and instruments before, during, and after a surgery
  • Technology-Assisted Detection – Using radiofrequency detection systems or barcodes on surgical sponges and instruments
  • Clear Communication – Making sure that every member of the surgical team understands specific roles and responsibilities, particularly during high-pressure moments such as wound closure
  • Standardized Checklists – Employing structured procedures that direct the surgical team to verify all items are accounted for

Consistently following these measures prevents retained surgical items. However, mistakes can still happen in a busy operating room. Last-minute changes during surgery, exhaustion, or miscommunication between team members can all lead to these dangerous errors.

Is a Retained Surgical Object a Sign of Medical Malpractice?

Retained surgical instruments are serious warnings of systemic issues. While not every instance of medical error automatically indicates malpractice, many cases point to a breach of the standard of care.

Malpractice happens when a medical professional fails to meet the expected standard of care, leading to preventable harm. Retained surgical objects are a clear example of this, as they often involve the following:

  • Failure to track all instruments and surgical sponges
  • Lack of adherence to standard counting protocols
  • Communication problems within the surgical team

Pursuing legal action holds negligent providers accountable and helps improve patient safety by enforcing stricter protocols for the future.

How Our Medical Malpractice Attorneys Can Help

Retained surgical items cause additional stress in an already stressful situation, and you deserve compensation for a healthcare provider’s negligence. Our role at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. is to be your shoulder to lean on. We can guide you through the legal process and devise a strategy to seek justice by:

  • Investigating the Incident – We collect medical records, speak with expert witnesses, and examine how the healthcare facility handled your surgery.
  • Determining Liability – We focus on why this never event happened and determine who failed to follow standard care practices.
  • Pursuing Financial Recovery – We pursue compensation for medical bills, lost income, and the pain this mistake has caused. If the other side refuses to take responsibility, we are fully prepared to take your case to court and fight for the outcome you deserve.

Right now, your focus should be on resting and recovering. You can count on us for meaningful support, as we can handle every detail, keeping you informed every step of the way. You’ll never wonder what’s happening with your case and can rest assured you’re in good hands.

Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. has recovered over $2.5 billion, including the largest compensatory verdict in Illinois history. With over 350 verdicts and settlements of $1 million or more, our team of top litigators and skilled support staff knows how to win tough cases.

We have the resources and experience to take on medical providers who fail their patients. Our approach is thorough, strategic, and driven by real results. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation, clear communication, and a relentless pursuit of justice — because when it comes to retained surgical instruments, you deserve a legal team that gets it right. As one satisfied client wrote:

“I wholeheartedly recommend the Salvi, Schostok and Pritchard team. They were phenomenal and understanding my [family’s] pain. My family went through an unimaginable tough time with the loss of our mom. The whole team was caring and understood my family’s concerns.”– Client

We take pride in our track record for securing successful outcomes in medical malpractice. Some past achievements include:

While every case is unique, these results reflect our commitment to holding medical professionals accountable for their mistakes. We see every claim as an opportunity to improve patient outcomes, strengthen safety standards, and push for meaningful changes in the healthcare system.

Contact Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. Today

If a retained surgical object has caused a patient harm, our Chicago medical malpractice lawyers are ready to help. We know how to search high and low for every detail to build a strong claim on your behalf. These cases require clear proof of negligence, and we know how to find it.

Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. advocates for those harmed by surgical errors. We offer free, no-obligation consultations to discuss your legal options and next steps, and we charge nothing unless we win your case. Contact us today to learn more.