You Left WHAT in my Body?! A Patient's Worst Nightmare!

In this episode, the Gritty Nurses discuss something that would be a patient's worst nightmare: having a medical instrument left in your body. In this particular instance, an epidural needle was left in Giovanna Ippolito's back from years ago! Furthermore, no one will take responsibility for it. Amie & Sara unpack some of the issues in hospitals related to medical malpractice, patient advocacy and glaring gaps in the healthcare system. Giovanna Ippolito is living with a broken needle in her spine after it broke off during childbirth. An anesthesiologist then left the 4cm/2 inch-long fragment embedded in her back — and didn't tell her what happened. Instead, it was discovered during an X-ray more than a decade later. The woman says her doctor can't directly link the pain she's experiencing to the needle, but one thing has been made clear to her: it's not safe to remove it. Story: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/needle-spine-patient-investigations-1.7227058#:~:text=Giovanna%20Ippolito%20is%20living%20with,more%20than%20a%20decade%20later. Thank you to our episode sponsor, healthcareproviders.ca! Attention, hospital employees, retirees and HR in Canada!   Picture this: a benefit plan designed for casual and part-time hospital employees and retirees who aren't covered by their hospital's group health plan. Introducing Healthcare Providers Group Insurance Plan – a friendly partner dedicated to your health and wellbeing! With affordable plan premiums and an exceptional support team, Healthcare Providers, also known as HCP,  is dedicated to helping you every step of the way. Enrolling is easy, and you'll have access to a wide range of health and basic dental benefits from day one. Already have coverage through your spouse? HCP still has your back! For less than $32 a month, the Signature Package, which includes Life, Long-Term Disability, Accidental Death, Disease & Dismemberment, provides valuable income protection and peace of mind for the unexpected. Take charge of your health and financial security today. Visit healthcareproviders.ca to learn more! Order our Book, The Wisdom Of Nurses! Leave us a review on Amazon! https://www.harpercollins.ca/9781443468718/the-wisdom-of-nurses/  https://www.grittynurse.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@grittynursepodcast  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grittynurse Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gritty.nurse.podcast/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/GrittyNurse  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grittynurse