In a shocking revelation, a surgeon at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, UK, resorted to using a Swiss Army knife to open the chest of a patient in cardiac arrest as he claimed he couldn’t find a sterile scalpel. The incident, which took place in December 2023, led to internal documents indicating that the surgeon’s actions were deemed “questionable” by colleagues who were “very surprised” by his inability to locate a proper scalpel. Despite the unorthodox approach, the patient managed to survive the procedure.
According to reports by the BBC, University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, the NHS trust overseeing the hospital, confirmed that the patient required emergency surgery but went into cardiac arrest before being taken to the operating room, necessitating immediate life-saving intervention. Chief Medical Officer, Professor Catherine Urch, acknowledged that while the patient’s life was saved, the actions taken deviated from standard procedures and were deemed unnecessary.
The trust disclosed that the surgeon involved reported the use of the Swiss Army knife, leading to a review of the incident by the surgical team to extract lessons from the event. The patient was kept fully informed as part of the hospital’s commitment to transparency, and prompt adjustments were made following the incident. The team also shared their findings and insights with colleagues during patient safety meetings in a bid to enhance practices.
This revelation comes amidst an ongoing investigation by Sussex Police into allegations of medical negligence at the trust spanning from 2015 to 2021, focusing on neurosurgery and general surgery at the Brighton hospital. The police confirmed that cases within the specified NHS departments and timeframe are under scrutiny, with a dedicated team supporting affected patients and families throughout the investigation. University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust has pledged full cooperation with the ongoing police inquiry.
Nisha Sharma, principal lawyer at Slater and Gordon, representing patients and families in cases of substandard care at the hospital, criticised the incident involving the Swiss Army knife, labelling it as “absolutely appalling.” As more details emerge, concerns grow within the Brighton community, with Sharma emphasising the importance of upholding high standards of care at the Royal Sussex for the well-being of patients and their families.