Quote:
Originally posted by Moses
I knew I'd draw you out with that one! 
Yes, Drew/MLK has had issues for years. Not documenting a surgical count is indefensible for non-emergency cases.
In trauma cases there is rarely an instrument count. There is simply no time. The count is performed by two nurses and takes a good deal of time. If the patient is not stable no count is attempted. Years ago I proposed a sealed "pre-counted" tray of emergency instruments. The hospitals lawyers said it did not meet the HICFA standards. Oh, well.
If you had ever seen an emergency surgery like this you might have a different opinion. It is a complete flail. Blood everywhere. Scrambling to stop bleeding from crushed organs and areas you can't even see. It is not unusual to have half a dozen hemostats in the abdomen clamping off bleeders while you search for the "big bleeder". Intestine fills the cavity, burying your clamps. It's rare, but a wayward, unaccounted for clamp is not hard to imagine.
Here's my point. The fellow came in full of bullets. Do nothing and he dies. The clamp that was left behind caused no permanent damage, but required a second surgery to remove. If I pull your ass out of a burning building, don't sue me because I sprained your elbow getting you out.
When the ambulance drops your bullet-ridden body off at the hospital, what are reasonable expectations? The "victim" is alive and apparently well enough to lawyer up and sue the people who saved him. Beautiful.
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I would much rather he say "thank you" and go on his way.
But I'm not a Dr. or a Lawyer.