An investigation has been called regarding a botched surgery at Sydney’s Northern Beaches Hospital (NBH), which saw surgeons remove the wrong part of a cancer patient’s bowel.
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The Sydney Morning Herald reports a flawed pathology report from the hospital’s private contractor, Australian Clinical Labs, resulted in the error last week. The man reportedly returned to NBH for corrective colorectal surgery on Friday, but his long-term prognosis is currently unknown.
In a statement provided to the SMH, hospital operator Healthscope said the incident has been reported to NSW Health, as with all incidences of surgeons operating on the wrong patient or the wrong body part.
The NSW Health review will determine whether the incident classifies as a sentinel event, meaning a totally preventable incident which causes the death or serious harm to a patient. Although surgical sentinel events are rare in the Australian healthcare system, their adverse effects can be devastating.
The incident comes amid ongoing scrutiny on NBH, which has seen several key staff members resign since it opened in October last year. The NSW Labor Party previously secured a parliamentary inquiry to the hospital, claiming concerns over transparency due to its status as a public-private enterprise.
That inquiry, which seeks to speak to current and former hospital workers, will begin accepting evidence next month.
