Surgical Errors Are an Ongoing Problem

When a person in New Mexico is told that they must undergo an operation, it is reasonable for that person to be concerned about their safety before, during and after the procedure. As with any course of treatment, there are generally risks associated with surgeries. However, in addition to what some may consider reasonable and understandable risks, there is also the potential that an error may be made.

As explained by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, there are three types of surgical errors that are so grievous that they are called never events in the medical world. This term is used because they truly should never happen, yet they do. One of these is when a surgeon performs the wrong operation on the patient. A second one is when the correct operation is performed but on the wrong patient. The third never event involves both the correct procedure and the correct patient but the wrong location. An example of this would be the removal of the left kidney instead of the right kidney.

Becker’s Hospital Review also notes that some problems in operating rooms may be introduced due to antiquated technologies and processes. For several decades now, a single operating room could be outfitted with multiple monitors that display essential information for the surgical staff. During an operation, a surgeon may be required to look up and away from a patient to view images on these screens and then back down again.

The potential for augmented reality technology to be introduced into surgical rooms may change this, allowing a surgeon’s gaze to remain at the patient throughout the course of the procedure.

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