Medical malpractice isn’t common in the U.S., but it does happen. This typically results in a medical malpractice suit, ranging from a few thousand dollars to millions depending on severity. Hospitals and providers follow comprehensive policies, processes, and procedures to ensure the safety of every patient. However, some medical malpractice cases are hard to believe ever happened.
1. Doctor Sued For Inserting A Screwdriver Into A Patient’s Back
During a routine spinal surgery, Dr. Robert Ricketson attempted to stabilize a patient’s spine when he realized he couldn’t find the titanium rod required to complete the surgery. Ricketson was “forced to” (as he claims) improvise and use… a screwdriver!
This MacGyver wannabe sawed off the handle of a sanitized screwdriver and used the stainless-steel screwdriver shaft as a substitute. In 2001, the screwdriver rod snapped not long after the surgery, causing the patient extreme pain and requiring additional surgeries.
Dr. Ricketson practiced this surgery in Hawaii, and the patient’s family learned after the surgery that not only had his license been suspended in Oklahoma, but Dr. Ricketson’s license had been revoked in Texas after numerous medical malpractice lawsuits against him. His license in Hawaii has since been suspended, and Ricketson has moved to Kansas, and Dr. Ricketson was unsurprisingly sued for inserting the screwdriver into his patient’s back.
2. Triple-Threat Brain Surgeons Cause A Medical Malpractice Nightmare
In 2007, brain surgeons at a Rhode Island Hospital proved it’s never too late to learn your left from your right. On November 23, an 82-year-old woman underwent emergency brain surgery to stop the bleeding between her brain and skull.
Dr. David Gifford told the press that they began the surgery on the wrong side of her brain and realized their mistake before they went too far. They were able to correct the process and remove any clots. As far as we know, the patient recovered. However, this was not the first — or even second — instance of these three surgeons operating on the wrong side of a patient’s brain. It was the third time that year.
3. Chemotherapy Administered To 500 Cancer-Free Patients
Getting a cancer diagnosis is life-shattering and can change your life forever. This is especially true for (former) Doctor Farid Fata’s patients in suburban Detroit. As far as everyone knew, Dr. Fata was one of the best oncologists out there. Fata always had an excellent bedside manner, treated patients well, and ensured they got the chemotherapy they needed or were told they were needed.
Around 2012, one of Fata’s former coworkers revealed to a popular news station that Dr. Fata had intentionally administered chemotherapy and other unnecessary treatments to over 500 patients who did not have cancer. The whistleblower was George Karadsheh, who notified authorities, attorneys, and eventually, the Department of Justice got involved.
Karadsheh stated, “I wasn’t looking at the patients anymore as being treated, I looked at it as a burning building with people inside…I had to make it stop and I had to make it stop quickly.”
Could These have been Avoided?
Hospitals sometimes bear responsibility due to insufficient processes or lack of proper oversight. What can be done to help hospitals protect patients in these situations?
Perhaps a more thorough credentialing process could have alerted the hospitals to red flags these doctors exhibited, such as Dr. Ricketson’s case above in Hawaii, where his license was revoked in Texas and suspended in Oklahoma, but he was given privileges in Hawaii. Working with a highly reputable CVO and administering consistent credentialing training to an internal team is always helpful.
Additionally, creating a culture of transparency where team staff members are empowered to speak up for patient safety can be positive. There are many ways to help prepare a practice to avoid these situations. Lastly, if a medical malpractice claim is filed, it is essential to ensure that the provider and practice have proper medical malpractice and liability coverage in place.
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