Tuesday, November 17th, 2009
A woman has received £13,500 for the pain she suffered after some gauze was left in a surgical wound following an operation.
The woman had surgery to treat a sinus problem at her local hospital in 2005. The hospital informed nurses at the woman’s GP practice that the wound had been left open and lightly packed with Proflavin gauze.
The nurses were asked to remove the gauze after a set time and then continue to dress the wound as required. A nurse then dressed the wound as requested but did not remove the gauze before doing so.
The wound was dressed again several times over the next two months but started producing discharges. Eventually, the wound became unbearably painful and the GP advised the woman to attend the hospital accident and emergency department.
The mistake was then discovered and she had to have further surgery to remove the gauze. As well as her physical pain, she suffered psychiatric injury and distress.
The Primary Care Trust admitted liability and the woman accepted £13,500 compensation in an out-of-court settlement.
© Copyright 2009 Burt Brill & Cardens Solicitors