03/17/2008 11:35:10 PM
By: Nicole Muehlhausen, Web Producer
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Metro doctors remove wrong kidneyPark Nicollet Heath Services announced they made a medical error last week.
In a statement, Park Nicollet stated that on March 11, a patient with presumed cancer of the kidney had their healthy kidney removed, leaving the affected kidney inside their body.
The error occurred in diagnosis before the surgery took place. The surgery staff followed all appropriate safety protocols, including marking the surgical site and pausing before surgery to confirm the final details.
Unfortunately, the side of the affected kidney was incorrectly identified in the medical chart several weeks before the surgery took place.
The incident has been reported as required under the Adverse Health Event laws.
The surgeon who performed the procedure has voluntarily ceased surgical and clinical care and will not see patients until a complete review has been done, according to Park Nicollet officials.
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