Every year thousands of surgical errors occur. Surgical errors are different from bad outcomes, which are the known risks of undergoing a surgical procedure. The document you sign before surgery called a “consent” form, is where the doctor lists these known risks. The consent you give, however, must be “informed;” that is, the doctor must actually explain the risks of the surgery so that you understand them. Surgical errors, on the other hand, are not a risk to which you can possibly consent—no one in their right mind ever consents to doctor error. They are events outside the inherent risks of surgery and are preventable. Learn more in our infographic.
Source: https://www.chhlaw.com/thousands-surgical-errors-occur-every-year/
