UI Hospitals and Clinics settles with patient for $1.2M over retained surgical items

The state of Iowa will pay a former patient at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics $1.2 million to settle a lawsuit alleging physicians left a towel and staple in his bowel after surgery, reports the Iowa City Press Citizen.

Joseph Caskey underwent a cancer-related emergency surgery at Iowa City-based UI Hospitals and Clinics on Oct. 31, 2016. The suit alleged Mr. Caskey experienced severe health issues for seven months after the procedure and returned to the health system several times for follow-up care. However, a physician did not find the retained surgical objects in Mr. Caskey's bowel until June 6, 2017, according to the suit.

Mr. Caskey filed a claim against the health system in August 2018 and signed a settlement with UI Hospitals and Clinics last month. The State Appeal Board approved the settlement Dec. 2. The agreement does not represent an admission of liability and will not cover any costs or damages Mr. Caskey may claim in the future.

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