OMG...the WRONG pacer!

Hi all! I went on March 27th for a new pacemaker finally after 11 years. I was so excited because the ones of today are so advanced over the ones 11 years ago... Well, my Dr. and I decided on a Medtronic, I did have a St. Jude "recalled" pacemaker so getting the Medtronic was exciting for me lol. Anyway, she was not doing surgery the day I was to get my new one so another Dr. did the surgery. Come to find out he put a Boston Scientific in instead of the Medtronic! I was livid to say the least. It was marked on the orders for surgery that I was to get the Medtronic but he didn't read that paper, go figure! So, they offered to put the Medtronic in the next day at no cost to me, gee thanks right? My Dr. got on the phone and told me she was so sorry that this happened and that they rarely ever use that pacemaker and she's not sure why he choose too use it and even when I asked him he really couldn't say why he did. So, here I am sore as ever because I had two pacemaker operations in two days... It just burns me that the info was right there and he failed to read my chart before doing the surgery. The hospital said that they take part in this also as it was a breakdown on their part too. What would you do?

8 Comments

I'm sorry too... for you!

by pacergirl - 2009-03-28 08:03:35

It is just so sad that you accidently received the wrong pacemaker. I have no knowledge about medical laws in Canada, but I would certainly look into getting some legal advice as soon as possible.
I also would take some pictures of how your incision looks and start a journal of how much you are suffering! Just in case you need a little proof of how much you have been through. Mistakes like this are unforgivable in my book!
This should have all been avoided! All they had to do was read the Dr. orders.

I'm sorry

by tcrabtree85 - 2009-03-28 10:03:44

I would take pacergirls advice and for sure talk to a lawyer. I am sorry you had to face that I know surgery is hard on your body and having in two days in a row I don't know about all that. So many risks. I am praying for you as I can't even imagined what pain you are facing.

Blessings,
Tammy

Confused Canadian Cardiologist!

by furnhusch - 2009-03-28 10:03:52

I'm wondering what you did to confuse that poor surgeon!

Wrong PM

by SMITTY - 2009-03-28 11:03:44

amour2214,

If I were to guess why you got the Boston Scientific rather than the Medtronic I would say it was one of two reasons. The doctor didn't bother to read all of the orders written for you or the lagniappe was greater if he implanted the Boston Scientific. To take this a step further I would say it was the latter of the two.

As for what would I do, have a heart to heart discussion with the hospital administrator and then an attorney. However, I will guess that your discussion with an attorney would be fruitless.

Smitty

Wrong PM

by kcruz - 2009-03-29 07:03:01

It sucks when they make mistakes. I would venture to say though you probably would have a very strong case as once the error was noted they did offer to correct it at no charge, which is a good faith gesture, I would agree with Smitty though and talk with hospital administration and make sure that they are on board with not charging you for the additional days and services that were rendered due to physician error.

Just curious...

by dward - 2009-03-29 08:03:00

In reading the responses, I was curious - is it 100% certain that the Medtronic is a better PM?

I have a Medtronic, so again, just curious.

sorry for your pain

by verger - 2009-03-29 10:03:20

i think there are 2 words to explain why they were so eager to replace a new one for free-law suit. make sure you take action soon because hospitals have a limitation of 6 months in the states.
there's no excusable reason for you to suffer twice for what appears to be incompetence. believe me, the pain will feel a bit less if you get a paid vacation along with those new scars.
and don't feel guilty for taking legal action, it is why our caretakers carry insurance and why we are charged a fortune for their services.

SUE

by sweetkozy - 2009-03-30 02:03:53

I would! That's a lot of pain that you have to suffer through! Next time....make sure your doctor does the surgery. I would not let anyone else replace my PM! I'm sorry you had to go through all that! Oh and I have a Guidant/Boston Scientific PM of 6 yrs and it has done me wonders and no problems what-so-ever! No excuse for what the doctor did!

Jenny

You know you're wired when...

Your pacemaker receives radio frequencies.

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