Surgeon removes wrong kidney

[cerina]

Surgeon who removed wrong kidney suspended

Last Modified: 26 May 2006
Source: ITN

A French surgeon who removed a woman's healthy kidney has been suspended from practising but could be back to work within a year.

Imposing the year-long suspension, a General Medical Council Panel told Jerome Blanchard: "Although the findings against you are serious, they are not fundamentally incompatible with your continuing to be a registered doctor.

"You have shown insight into the matters that led to this hearing and have expressed regret for these events, and as such they are unlikely to be repeated."  

Blanchard took out a kidney which the patient had already received as a transplant.

The panel heard he had not read his patient's notes and made the blunder even though the woman pointed out her disease kidney to him.

The 57-year-old, who wants to remain anonymous, is now on dialysis and is waiting for another transplant.

Blanchard had admitted to removing the wrong kidney, but denied his behaviour was inappropriate or unprofessional.    :wtf:

The panel decided his conduct had been inappropriate, unprofessional and "not in the best interests of the patient".      (How's that for masterly understatement?)

The vascular surgeon, who has returned to France and is now unemployed, said looking back, he would refuse to do such operations in the future where he was not properly involved in the treatment team.

"I'm not an expert in kidney problems, I know how to remove them and I have some quite good idea on kidney disease and problems.    :eek:

"But I'm not an expert, I have to rely on somebody else, and if I had a very good communication with colleagues I would accept to deal with such patients again, but not if there's a poor communication."

He added: "I still feel very sorry for what happened and for the particular person, patient A."

[ET Girl]

Is there a doctor in the house?! No! Wait! Nevermind! I'll do it myself!


How sad...

[Khaizerex]

Wow... Hmm... let's hope that something like that will never happen to me... whether I be the patient and need a kidney, or I the doctor performing emergency surgery.

[sweety]

 :eek:    OMG thats just unreal, that poor women  how can a man that took medical training make such a horrible mistake, i think he has a few screws loose  :screwy: I wouldnt know how to react if that happened to me as a patient,i would be so devastated and in shock, its not like he pulled the wrong tooth ya know , i would be very very upset  :angry: She could die before they find her another kindney for transplantation, i think he should never be allowed to practice medicine ever again and ihope to god she is smart enought not to allow him to do it....
If i was her and or her family i would take him to court for all he has and even then it doesnt take away from the fact that poor women went threw hell and will probably for along time to come....wow i have heard it all now , he sounds like some of our NB dr's  :shhh:  sad but its true.....
My thoughts and wishes go out to her thats for sure   .......what a real  :jerk: he is......