(This is the first part of a two-part series on avoiding liability with documentation, see story, below. This month, we discuss the case of a surgeon who was charged and jailed regarding mistakes he made in the medical record that did not impact billing. Next month, well cover the specific lessons that can be learned from the case.)
A patient needed repair of a right hip fracture. The site was marked by the patient, and the OR team performed a surgical pause. However, the patients left hip was draped and prepped, and the surgery proceeded on that side. After the incision had been made, the error was realized. The incision was sutured, the patient was repositioned, and the surgery resumed on the right side.
