Doctors are likely the most respected and trusted of all medical professionals. When a doctor enters the room, patients listen and regard what he or she says as being key to their health and wellbeing. However, aside from the fact that a doctor attended medical school, most patients know very little about the man or woman with whom they are entrusting their health and possibly their life.
One couple recently detailed the dangers associated with not knowing about a doctor's past mistakes or transgressions. The problems began when the middle-aged man underwent surgery after he developed a painful medical condition known as Diverticulitis.
While recovering from surgery, the man's doctor examined the stomach wound. Upon doing so, the doctor pulled what appeared to be a long piece of surgical tape from the man's wound and promptly threw it in the garbage without explanation. Despite the couple's questions regarding the tape, neither the doctor nor members of the nursing staff offered any further explanation.
The man's wife requested the event be documented and emailed the hospital's head nurse noting that packing tape appeared to have been left in her husband's stomach. Since the surgery, the man has experienced numerous adverse health effects that have left him with permanent health problems and caused him to suffer loss of enjoyment of life.
Upon digging deeper into the past of the doctor who performed the surgery and made the surgical mistake, the couple discovered he had a history of alcoholism for which his medical license had previously been suspended. This information, however, is not provided to patients who literally unknowingly place their lives in the hands of a doctor who may have a history of recklessly endangering the health and wellbeing of patients.
The couple has filed a formal complaint with their state's board of medicine. The couple may also choose to take legal action and file a medical malpractice lawsuit against the doctor and hospital.
Source: Fox 5, "FOX 5 Investigates: Medical Mistakes," Sherri Ly, Nov. 4, 2013