Patient Pulls Own Skull Screw After Hospital Dismissal

Stephanie Faure recently experienced a distressing medical situation when she found what appeared to be a screw pushing through the skin on her head, 14 months after surgeons operated on her for brain tumors. She sought care at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, but after a five-and-a-half-hour wait, a doctor reportedly dismissed her concerns, stating it was a cyst and not the screw she clearly saw. Faure’s request for a second opinion was denied, and she was asked to leave.

Later that night, Faure's boyfriend successfully removed the tiny screw, which was of the type used to secure a titanium plate in her skull. Faure, who continues to manage brain cancer, felt dismissed by the medical staff, particularly as she was certain of what she was seeing. She intends to file a formal complaint with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan, seeking accountability from the physician.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority acknowledged receiving concerns about patient experiences and stated they could not comment on specific cases due to privacy laws. Faure also consulted her family doctor to ensure no damage resulted from the screw's removal and to confirm proper wound healing. She expressed concern that future patients with genuine issues might be similarly dismissed.