Incontinent Patient Mixup

[incojohn]

h++p://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,339270,00.html

A German retiree is taking a hospital to court after she went in for a leg operation and got a new anus instead, the Daily Telegraph is reporting.

The woman woke up to find she had been mixed up with another patient suffering from incontinence who was to have surgery on her sphincter.

The clinic in Hochfranken, Bavaria, has since suspended the surgical team.

Now the woman is planning to sue the hospital. She still needs the leg operation and is searching for another hospital to do it.

[boy ricky]

h++p://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,339270,00.html

Yikers! that wouldnt be fun. I hope the other person still has their leg in working order

[Three Rivers]

This isn't the first time something like that has happened. I would sue as well.

Doctors and Hospitals need to pay more attention to their patients.

[Aleia]

I know surgeons are very busy and I know they're heroes, but that's not an excuse for carelessness, especially when it has serious consequences to life and limb (no pun intended).

[:gremlin]

mix ups seem to happen a lot in countries that have the "free" medical services. you go see one doctor he says you need a operation. then calls the surgeons team. first its the guy who schedules the operation. the surgeon my do 3 or 4 easy operations in one day. he does not see you until your on the table. all it takes for a mix up is one chart to be put in the wrong spot.

[BabyDavey]

mix ups seem to happen a lot in countries that have the "free" medical services. you go see one doctor he says you need a operation. then calls the surgeons team. first its the guy who schedules the operation. the surgeon my do 3 or 4 easy operations in one day. he does not see you until your on the table. all it takes for a mix up is one chart to be put in the wrong spot.

We here in Canada have a "free" (read:tax-payer funded public) medical system (medicare), and it doesn't work anywhere near as you describe. Normally one would go to their family Doctor, who would then refer them to a specialist. The specialist will see you and make his(her) diagnosis - then you go for surgery, if required. It is that specialist that sees you that actually performs the surgery, sometimes with the help of another specialist or your GP. As far as I know, most public medical systems are like that. (but I could be wrong)

That being said, the system may not be the best (as far as wait times, etc.) but EVERYBODY receives the same level of coverage. Regardless of their wealth (or lack thereof).

[BoTox]

We here in Canada have a "free" (read:tax-payer funded public) medical system (medicare), and it doesn't work anywhere near as you describe. Normally one would go to their family Doctor, who would then refer them to a specialist. The specialist will see you and make his(her) diagnosis - then you go for surgery, if required. It is that specialist that sees you that actually performs the surgery, sometimes with the help of another specialist or your GP. As far as I know, most public medical systems are like that. (but I could be wrong)

That being said, the system may not be the best (as far as wait times, etc.) but EVERYBODY receives the same level of coverage. Regardless of their wealth (or lack thereof).

Actually, that is not true. Those with money, in every form of health care system will have better access to better health care because they can afford to go private

[BabyDavey]

Actually, that is not true. Those with money, in every form of health care system will have better access to better health care because they can afford to go private

Private systems here (In NB, Canada), for most things, aren't available. Some specialized clinics are popping up (MRI, Ultra Sounds, etc.) but there is a very strong political and non-political resistance to private (two-tiered) medical systems. The truth of the matter is, if you stay here you get the same level of medical attention. If you can afford to, (if you feel the wait is too much here, for example), you could go to the US. You may get faster service, but there are no guarantees of getting better service.

I will admit, though, that depending on your insurance coverage through your employer, you may get a better room (private/semi-private), and some other perks, if you have to go to the hospital. But strictly speaking, the medical coverage is the same, regardless.

Other locales and countries may be different.

[willnotwill]

"...got a new anus instead."

Doctor tore her a new asshole?