UCSF to pay $15M for mixing anesthesia with formaldehyde

The University of California San Francisco has agreed to pay $15 million to settle allegations that medics mistakenly mixed her anesthetic with chemical formaldehyde, according to a Dec. 5 report from the San Francisco Chronicle.

Advertisement

The patient, a 42-year-old woman from Sonoma, Calif., went to UCSF hospital in 2021 with a swollen and bleeding fibroid in her uterus that required surgery. 

During the procedure, medics allegedly mixed anesthetic with an unlabeled cup on the same tray that contained formalin, or liquid formaldehyde. 

The patient allegedly suffered burns to her pelvic muscle and tissue, nerve damage, loss of strength and mobility and pain that has continued three years later. 

The university did not provide a comment to the Chronicle, citing “patient privacy laws. Lawyers for the woman and her husband told the outlet that the settlement will enable the couple to pay their medical bills.

At the Becker’s 32nd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs, taking place October 29-31 in Chicago, ASC leaders, surgeons and healthcare executives will explore strategies to drive growth, enhance operational performance, navigate reimbursement challenges and prepare for the future of ambulatory surgery. Apply for complimentary registration now.

Register to Attend Webinar

Unlocking Structural Heart Capacity: How Leading Programs Use EMR and Data to Improve Patient Flow and Throughput

Wednesday, August 19
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT

Presenters: Katie Kennedy, MSN, APRN, NP-C, Community Heart and VascularMisty Theriot, BSN, RN, CPHQ, FACC, Lake Charles Memorial Health SystemKatie Worthington, DNP, RN, Atlantic Health SystemTaryn Shipley, MBA, CSSBB, Lean HealthTech

Advertisement

Next Up in Anesthesia

Advertisement

Comments are closed.