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Tattoo Leads Surgeon to Remove Wrong Bowel Section
24 May
Summary
- A surgeon removed the wrong part of a patient's bowel.
- A tattoo was mistaken for a tumor site during surgery.
- The incident is one of 10 'never events' reported.
A serious surgical error has come to light, involving a patient who underwent the removal of the incorrect section of their bowel. The mistake occurred when a surgeon at Ysbyty Gwynedd mistook a visible tattoo for the site of a tumor. This incident is part of a broader report detailing ten "never events" within the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board over the last twelve months.
These critical failures encompass a range of serious procedural errors. Specifically, five incidents involved "wrong site" operations, two concerned incorrect medical implants being used, and two instances saw surgical items like swabs left inside patients. Another event involved medication being administered incorrectly. The health board manages NHS services across north Wales, and these "never events" highlight critical areas needing immediate attention to improve patient safety.
