Patient woke up without genitals due to doctors' error (VIDEO)

In Melbourne, 59-year-old Debra Buchanan became a victim of a misidentification error at a hospital: instead of removing a growth, doctors amputated part of her external genitalia. Due to staff shortages and two patients with the same name, doctors performed a surgery intended for another woman. Her lawyer claims there was no informed consent. The hospital cites confidentiality.

In Melbourne, Australia, a horrific patient misidentification error occurred. 59-year-old Debra Buchanan went to the Joan Kirner Women's and Children's Hospital (a division of Western Health) to have a growth in the pelvic area removed. However, because there were two patients with the same name in the hospital, and due to staff shortages, medical staff failed to verify her identity and performed a surgery intended for another woman. Instead of removing a small piece of skin, they amputated a significant portion of her external genitalia. Upon waking, she discovered this and was in shock. A nurse said it was part of the operation. Debra has permanently lost trust in doctors, experiencing anxiety and panic when visiting clinics. Her lawyer, Erin Monsalve, claims a violation of human rights: there were no consultations and no informed consent. Western Health management cites confidentiality laws and states it is following Victorian law, which requires apologies and an investigation. Debra had to undergo a second surgery to remove a cancer marker, which was successful. The article is based on a Unilad report and a tweet.