A Melbourne grandmother has been permanently disfigured after hospital staff mistakenly removed a large portion of her external genitalia instead of a cancerous skin tag.
Debra Buchanan was admitted to the Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital at Sunshine Hospital on January 23 for a routine procedure to remove a skin tag from her pelvic area. According to reports, hospital staff called out the first name "Deborah," and when Buchanan inquired if they meant Buchanan, she was told, "Oh yes, you'll do." Another patient, who identified herself as Deborah, stated she was the correct patient, but hospital staff proceeded with Buchanan.
Upon waking from the procedure, Buchanan experienced significant bleeding and questioned the nurse about the cause. She was informed it was part of the operation, but upon touching her pelvic area, she realized the intended surgery had not been performed and the skin tag remained.
Buchanan reported that a junior surgeon seemed dismissive when she questioned the procedure. She contacted her husband to inform him of the wrong operation. The hospital discharged her with minimal explanation.
Buchanan stated that she was informed the error was due to the presence of two patients named Deborah and understaffing. She subsequently had to return to the same hospital to have the cancerous skin tag removed, an experience she described as terrifying and damaging to her confidence.
Erin Monsalve, a lawyer specializing in medical negligence, noted that Buchanan was not adequately consulted or given proper consent for the surgery performed. "The fact that she was never consulted nor consented appropriately for the surgery prior to it taking place, and I think that’s one of the biggest things that it boils down to," Monsalve said.
In response, Western Health chief operating officer John Ferraro stated that all patients have a right to safe, high-quality care and that patient safety is the highest priority. Ferraro also noted that due to patient privacy obligations, specific details of individual cases cannot be commented on. He added that in line with Victoria’s Statutory Duty of Candour requirements, the hospital would provide an apology, meet with the patient, review the incident, and share findings and actions taken to prevent recurrence, emphasizing a commitment to open communication.