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Woman's horror at needle blunder
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| Wendy Dempsey with the needle she says was left in her back |
A WOMAN said she was horrified after finding an two inch needle left in her back after a visit to hospital.
Wendy Dempsey visited Newport's St Woolos Hospital on Wednesday for acupuncture to help improve her back pain.
But when she returned home she found one of the needles left in from her session.
Having already suffering from crippling back problems - forcing her to walk with crutches -Mrs Dempsey didn't realise the needle was there until it pointed out to her by a relative.
"I didn't notice because I was in a lot of pain anyway," the Llanmartin resident said.
"As I was driving the pain was getting worse and worse. But it was when I got that I realised it didn't feel right.
"I got in and showed my back to my nephew, who noticed the needle stuck in."
Mrs Dempsey rushed back to the Royal Gwent Hospital to have the needle removed.
"It could have been really dangerous. I'm really quite angry about it.
She says she is unlikely to return to the hospital for more acupuncture treatment.
"It was my first visit -and its going to be my last," she said.
A spokesman for the Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust said: "We have spoken to Mrs Dempsey and have offered our sincere apologies.
"She has made a complaint which will be fully investigated by the trust.
"We operate strict protocols for the use of acupuncture and we will contact her as soon as our investigations into this incident are complete."
2:00pm Friday 9th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: al newport, newport on 3:09pm Fri 9 May 08
suppose theres a point to this story
suppose theres a point to this story
Posted by: Gwenty, bed on 3:11pm Fri 9 May 08
Bet Wendys not the only one feeling a bit of a pr1ck today!! Shame on you St Woolas
Bet Wendys not the only one feeling a bit of a pr1ck today!! Shame on you St Woolas
Posted by: ALF, newport gwent on 3:32pm Fri 9 May 08
dreadful to do, but don't let that stop you if it did any good,this is one unfortunate case compared to how may good. I know it should not of happened but think on !!!!
dreadful to do, but don't let that stop you if it did any good,this is one unfortunate case compared to how may good. I know it should not of happened but think on !!!!
Posted by: bmw on 6:00pm Fri 9 May 08
So the needle was removed at the Royal Gwent and she was allowed to take it home to pose for the picture ?
So the needle was removed at the Royal Gwent and she was allowed to take it home to pose for the picture ?
Posted by: oatley on 7:29pm Fri 9 May 08
[quote][bold]bmw[/bold] wrote:
So the needle was removed at the Royal Gwent and she was allowed to take it home to pose for the picture ? [/quote] BMW... strange that, the member of staff at the Royal Gwent would not have given the needle back to her to take home.
bmw wrote:
So the needle was removed at the Royal Gwent and she was allowed to take it home to pose for the picture ?
BMW... strange that, the member of staff at the Royal Gwent would not have given the needle back to her to take home.
Posted by: Becks, risca on 8:52pm Fri 9 May 08
Mrs Dempsey rushed back to the Royal Gwent Hospital to have the needle removed.
Hope they're on standby incase she ever gets a splinter! Think she's after a bit of Compo?
Mrs Dempsey rushed back to the Royal Gwent Hospital to have the needle removed.
Hope they're on standby incase she ever gets a splinter! Think she's after a bit of Compo?
Posted by: papercutz, cwmbran on 9:28pm Fri 9 May 08
"Mrs Dempsey rushed back to the Royal Gwent Hospital to have the needle removed"
Why rush back to the Royal Gwent if she had her treatment at St Woolos
"Mrs Dempsey rushed back to the Royal Gwent Hospital to have the needle removed"
Why rush back to the Royal Gwent if she had her treatment at St Woolos
Posted by: evan.wilgosh, Newport on 1:55am Sat 10 May 08
Did any of you actually read the article?
I wouldn't blame her if she's after a bit of compo having that left in her back!
Did any of you actually read the article?
I wouldn't blame her if she's after a bit of compo having that left in her back!
Posted by: papercutz, cwmbran on 6:19pm Sat 10 May 08
[quote][bold]evan.wilgosh[/bold] wrote:
Did any of you actually read the article? I wouldn't blame her if she's after a bit of compo having that left in her back![/quote] yes
evan.wilgosh wrote:
Did any of you actually read the article? I wouldn't blame her if she's after a bit of compo having that left in her back!
yes
Posted by: jan, newp on 7:55pm Sat 10 May 08
from the comments from the top it is obvious that none of you have suffered long term chronic back pain. Lets hope you never do! Perhaps the following will help her:
don't suffer back pain (cardiff dr's will sort it)
Minimally Invasive Microsurgery Available
Minimally Invasive Microsurgery for the spine
Neck pain and back pain are the main causes of absence from work. It is also the main presenting complaint of almost 60% of patients in any busy neurosurgical practice. Conventional treatment of slipped discs involves rest, physiotherapy and analgesics for an adequate period of time. However, in instances of failure of conservative treatment, progressive neurological deficit and intractable pain, surgery is required.
Conventional spine surgery involves making long incisions, forceful muscle retraction for prolonged time and removal of normal tissues like ligaments and bone to approach the area of pathology. Often, these surgeries are done under prolonged general anesthesia.
Minimal Invasive Spine Surgery involves
use of very small incisions
minimal muscle retraction
less normal tissue damage
targeted treatment of pathology.
The advantages include:-
less blood loss
minimal pain and morbidity
many surgeries done under short duration anesthesia, and hence may be possible even in patients with high risk of anesthesia.
patient mobilized very early
early return to work
prevents complications associated with prolonged bed rest.
These techniques are equally applicable in the cervical and lumbar spine.
The consultants offering this procedure at Spire Cardiff Hospital are:
Mr Richard Hadfield, Consultant Neurosurgeon aBSc, MB BS, FRCS
Mr Ravindra Nannapenini, Consultant Neurosurgeon MS DNB FRCS (Ed) FRCSGl (surgical neurology)
For further information on microsurgery or any other procedure offered at Spire Cardiff Hospital call 029 2054 2504 or alternatively email sue.laidlaw@spirehea
lthcare.com
from the comments from the top it is obvious that none of you have suffered long term chronic back pain. Lets hope you never do! Perhaps the following will help her:
don't suffer back pain (cardiff dr's will sort it)
Minimally Invasive Microsurgery Available
Minimally Invasive Microsurgery for the spine
Neck pain and back pain are the main causes of absence from work. It is also the main presenting complaint of almost 60% of patients in any busy neurosurgical practice. Conventional treatment of slipped discs involves rest, physiotherapy and analgesics for an adequate period of time. However, in instances of failure of conservative treatment, progressive neurological deficit and intractable pain, surgery is required.
Conventional spine surgery involves making long incisions, forceful muscle retraction for prolonged time and removal of normal tissues like ligaments and bone to approach the area of pathology. Often, these surgeries are done under prolonged general anesthesia.
Minimal Invasive Spine Surgery involves
use of very small incisions
minimal muscle retraction
less normal tissue damage
targeted treatment of pathology.
The advantages include:-
less blood loss
minimal pain and morbidity
many surgeries done under short duration anesthesia, and hence may be possible even in patients with high risk of anesthesia.
patient mobilized very early
early return to work
prevents complications associated with prolonged bed rest.
These techniques are equally applicable in the cervical and lumbar spine.
The consultants offering this procedure at Spire Cardiff Hospital are:
Mr Richard Hadfield, Consultant Neurosurgeon aBSc, MB BS, FRCS
Mr Ravindra Nannapenini, Consultant Neurosurgeon MS DNB FRCS (Ed) FRCSGl (surgical neurology)
For further information on microsurgery or any other procedure offered at Spire Cardiff Hospital call 029 2054 2504 or alternatively email sue.laidlaw@spirehea
lthcare.com
Posted by: bmw on 12:46am Sun 11 May 08
blatant advertising
Posted by: jan, newp on 4:15pm Sun 11 May 08
I get nothing out of this at all but if I can save anybody the pain i have endured for 7 years then so be it. I HOPE YOU NEVER SUFFER CHRONIC BACK PAIN!
I get nothing out of this at all but if I can save anybody the pain i have endured for 7 years then so be it. I HOPE YOU NEVER SUFFER CHRONIC BACK PAIN!
Posted by: ALF, newport gwent on 5:15pm Sun 11 May 08
I have suffered from sacroiliac syndrome and frequent prolapsed discs in my back for over 20 years.I have been fortunate to be treated by an orthopaedic consultant at St.Woolos and don't know how I would have coped without this first class care.As an alternative I had regular visits to a chiropractor in bridge street newport,what a huge relief that is,if they where employed by the nhs waiting lists would be reduced and patient satisfaction up 100%.Try them !!
I have suffered from sacroiliac syndrome and frequent prolapsed discs in my back for over 20 years.I have been fortunate to be treated by an orthopaedic consultant at St.Woolos and don't know how I would have coped without this first class care.As an alternative I had regular visits to a chiropractor in bridge street newport,what a huge relief that is,if they where employed by the nhs waiting lists would be reduced and patient satisfaction up 100%.Try them !!
Posted by: jan, newp on 6:43pm Sun 11 May 08
Im glad you had a good experience with a consultant in st woolos but im in the mess im in due to one that works within Gwent healthcare trust. I know loads who suffered a similar fate. Newport is behind the times in how it treats spinal patients, cardiff is more 21st century. Chiropractors were used in my case until they could do no more. If I had known about the minimally invasive surgery then I would be leading an excellent quality of life. Look at alpha klinik in germany for reference for quality treatments or NICE. Best wishes to you, Alf!
Im glad you had a good experience with a consultant in st woolos but im in the mess im in due to one that works within Gwent healthcare trust. I know loads who suffered a similar fate. Newport is behind the times in how it treats spinal patients, cardiff is more 21st century. Chiropractors were used in my case until they could do no more. If I had known about the minimally invasive surgery then I would be leading an excellent quality of life. Look at alpha klinik in germany for reference for quality treatments or NICE. Best wishes to you, Alf!
Posted by: jan, newp on 7:08pm Sun 11 May 08
The waiting list scenario in orthopaedics could have been sorted years ago. You need keyhole surgery as standard (replacing open surgery which leaves scar tissue which can cause as much problems).This also reduces your stay in hospital (keyhole can be done as a day case)so freeing up beds quicker.This plus the system devised by dr GJ petri formely of st james paget hospital in great yarmouth (now in switzerland). The Dual operating scheme was a winner in 2006 medical innovation awards in london. This guy reduced his list to zero when he implemented the system. Another good example is in birmingham a GP dr moheb shabley devised a one stop shop where you see within 3 weeks a GP, a hospital consultant,a physio and a psychologist all in one appointment.
The waiting list scenario in orthopaedics could have been sorted years ago. You need keyhole surgery as standard (replacing open surgery which leaves scar tissue which can cause as much problems).This also reduces your stay in hospital (keyhole can be done as a day case)so freeing up beds quicker.This plus the system devised by dr GJ petri formely of st james paget hospital in great yarmouth (now in switzerland). The Dual operating scheme was a winner in 2006 medical innovation awards in london. This guy reduced his list to zero when he implemented the system. Another good example is in birmingham a GP dr moheb shabley devised a one stop shop where you see within 3 weeks a GP, a hospital consultant,a physio and a psychologist all in one appointment.
Posted by: Simon, Newport on 9:29pm Sun 11 May 08
No healthcare system is perfect. Anywhere! All have made mistakes, and all continue to do so. We are constantly reminded of errors made in the UK, but rarely of those abroad, which creates our belief that nhs is care is poor compared to others... I remember a little saying - "the grass is always greener..."
Mishaps and mistakes happen all the time. Remember that to be 99.9% perfect means that you make 1 mistake in 1000...
All sympathy to the person, it must have been horrid to discover this needle. We imagine that the nhs staff do not feel any guilt when they make a mistake, and hide behind management spin. They have to hide behind management spin, as our litigous society requires this! As for guilt, imagine how you might feel if you realised that you had made a mistake that had worsened a patient's wellbeing! Yes, some write it off, but these are hardnosed people who wouldn't wince when killing their own grandparents for money... Can we really assume that this mistake was a deliberate act?
Thats said, however, the rational thinker realises that a simple count of needles in and needles out would have caught this error. But as someone who is not a doctor, I cannot comment as to medical proceedure!
Jan - a little note on keyhole surgery! Its not all its cracked up to be. The risks are far higher, as the doctor is looking at a second hand image obtained from endoscopes. For as many people who have problems with other medical practices, so there are as many who have had problems with Keyhole!! Remember the proceedure is carried out by a human on a human! Mistakes are inevitable as soon as a person is involved with the process...
No healthcare system is perfect. Anywhere! All have made mistakes, and all continue to do so. We are constantly reminded of errors made in the UK, but rarely of those abroad, which creates our belief that nhs is care is poor compared to others... I remember a little saying - "the grass is always greener..."
Mishaps and mistakes happen all the time. Remember that to be 99.9% perfect means that you make 1 mistake in 1000...
All sympathy to the person, it must have been horrid to discover this needle. We imagine that the nhs staff do not feel any guilt when they make a mistake, and hide behind management spin. They have to hide behind management spin, as our litigous society requires this! As for guilt, imagine how you might feel if you realised that you had made a mistake that had worsened a patient's wellbeing! Yes, some write it off, but these are hardnosed people who wouldn't wince when killing their own grandparents for money... Can we really assume that this mistake was a deliberate act?
Thats said, however, the rational thinker realises that a simple count of needles in and needles out would have caught this error. But as someone who is not a doctor, I cannot comment as to medical proceedure!
Jan - a little note on keyhole surgery! Its not all its cracked up to be. The risks are far higher, as the doctor is looking at a second hand image obtained from endoscopes. For as many people who have problems with other medical practices, so there are as many who have had problems with Keyhole!! Remember the proceedure is carried out by a human on a human! Mistakes are inevitable as soon as a person is involved with the process...
Posted by: jan, newp on 12:24pm Mon 12 May 08
I take on board fully what you say,simon. I don't believe it was done deliberately but at the end of the day issues like this should be highlighted so that professionals learn by their mistakes. If someone admits they made a mistake and tries to correct it and no ones health suffers as a consequence of such actions then that is fine. It is when a persons quality of life is seriously altered because of the action of an individual that doesn't care then that is a different matter.
As for keyhole surgery on spines then it is the best option because open back surgery scar tissue can wrap itself around nerves causing a lot of additional pain.
If the proper training has been undertaken in keyhole surgery then it shouldn't be a problem.
I take on board fully what you say,simon. I don't believe it was done deliberately but at the end of the day issues like this should be highlighted so that professionals learn by their mistakes. If someone admits they made a mistake and tries to correct it and no ones health suffers as a consequence of such actions then that is fine. It is when a persons quality of life is seriously altered because of the action of an individual that doesn't care then that is a different matter.
As for keyhole surgery on spines then it is the best option because open back surgery scar tissue can wrap itself around nerves causing a lot of additional pain.
If the proper training has been undertaken in keyhole surgery then it shouldn't be a problem.
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