The hospital has apologised after the incident in November
(Picture: Google Maps)A large medical instrument was left inside a patient after an operation at a Worcestershire hospital.
Alexandra Hospital in Redditch has apologised after the ‘never event’ involving 15cm metal forceps, an arterial clamp that looks like a large pair of scissors.
The patient spent the night of November 23 in intensive care after the instrument couldn’t be retrieved the same day following a seven-hour abdominal operation.
Matthew Hopkins, chief executive of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “We have apologised unreservedly to the patient and promised to share the findings of our investigation with them once it is completed.”
Under hospital procedure, all instruments must be counted and checked twice before the operation is officially closed.
The BBC reports that the forceps were found to be missing and confirmed to be inside the patient, via x-ray, while they were still under anaesthetic.
After the patient spent the night in intensive care, a further operation was carried out on November 24 to remove the forceps. The patient is now said to be in a ‘stable’ condition.
Mr Hopkins added that such an event has not happened for 15 years.
“We are aware of an incident which involved a surgical instrument being left inside a patient following surgery,” he said.
“There are clear and well established processes in place to protect patients from this kind of event, which are exceptionally rare.
“We are currently carrying out an investigation into what happened. The patient and their family have been informed as part of our duty of candour.”
An investigation is currently ongoing.
