Wrong-site surgery is one of the most alarming mistakes in healthcare, mainly because it is completely preventable. They are considered “never events,” in that they should never happen in a medical environment. Still, they happen due to breakdowns in communication and basic operating room protocols.
What Counts as Wrong-Site Surgery?
Wrong-site surgical errors refer to any procedure performed on the wrong body part, the wrong side of the body, the wrong level of the spine, or the wrong patient. It also includes performing the wrong procedure on a correctly identified patient. Reach out to our surgical error attorney in Las Cruces if you’ve been affected by a wrong-site surgery.
Common causes include:
- Failing to double-check patient records and identity before surgery.
- Failing to mark the surgical site clearly or marking it incorrectly.
- Poor communication when changing shifts or transferring care to other staff.
- Confusing or incomplete medical records, especially regarding left versus right.
- Rushing through safety checks because of tight schedules or time pressure.
- Skipping or rushing the final safety check before making the first incision.
These errors are rarely attributable to a single mistake. Instead, they usually result from a chain of small failures that combine to cause serious harm.
Why These Errors Are Considered Preventable
Surgeries carry risks. But operating on the wrong-site surgery is generally not one of them. In fact, this error is completely avoidable when medicals teams follow established safety rules. When it occurs, it usually signals a system-wide failure in following basic procedures rather than an unforeseeable event
Incidentally, hospitals require surgical teams to pause right before surgery begins for a formal “time-out.” During this check, the entire team verifies the patient’s identity, the scheduled procedure, and the correct surgical site.
When a team skips this step or glosses over the record, they increase the risk of a major medical error.
What Procedures Carry the Highest Risk of Wrong-Site Surgery?
Wrong-site surgery can happen in any procedure, but certain operations carry higher risks. This is especially true for complex anatomy or procedures.
Examples of higher-risk surgeries include:
- Spinal surgeries, where operating on the wrong level is a known risk because exact locations are hard to pinpoint on scans.
- Orthopedic procedures on paired limbs (like knees, hips, or shoulders), where left-versus-right mistakes can occur without careful checks.
- Eye surgeries, where operating on the wrong eye can cause permanent damage.
- Urological and gynecological procedures, especially those involving paired organs like kidneys or ovaries.
- Dental surgeries, where the wrong tooth may be treated due to unclear charting.
- Neurosurgeries, where errors regarding brain location carry severe consequences.
Surgeries with multiple doctors, complex positioning, or last-minute schedule changes also carry greater risk. These factors make it easier for safety checks to be rushed or skipped.
What Compensation Is Available After a Wrong-Site Surgery?
Patients harmed by wrong-site surgery may be entitled to compensation from the surgical teams or medical facility responsible for the procedure.
Under New Mexico law, recoverable damages often cover corrective operations, ongoing medical treatment, and rehabilitation. Patients can also seek money for pain and suffering, lost income during extra recovery time, and any permanent injury or scarring.
An experienced Las Cruces medical malpractice lawyer can help you identify your damages and determine the value of your claim. If you or a loved one suffered from a wrong-site surgery, Coates & Johnson can review your case and help you seek full compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more about your legal rights.