Rugby Mother Swab Error

Rugby Mother Swab Error
A woman has been paid 30,000 in compensation after surgeons left a swab inside her body after a Caesarean section. The woman, Amy Callaghan, 28, from Rugby in Warwickshire had to have emergency surgery on Christmas Day in 2007 in order for the swab to be removed; she stated that the pain was unbearable and that it also left her in agony. Miss Callaghan had given birth to her daughter Tegan on the 2nd December 2007 in Coventrys University Hospital. The hospital has accepted all responsibility for the error occurring and has issued sincere apologies. Miss Callaghan felt extreme pain two weeks after giving birth; she then went on to find a lump in her abdomen. An X-ray was carried out on Christmas Eve; this revealed the swab inside her body. On Christmas Day, the surgery was carried out to remove the swab. Miss Callaghan stated that whilst the birth of her first child should have been an exciting experience, it was instead an absolute nightmare. She stated that she was incredibly ill after the birth and was in incredible agony whilst attempting to be a good mum to her first child. She also stated that she barely had enough energy to look after herself, never mind her newly born baby. Miss Callaghan stated she was angry at the pain and heartache, which she suffered due to a simple and basic error. Miss Callaghan, the University Hospital of Coventry and the Warwickshire NHS Trust agreed the 30,000 compensation out of court. The chief executive of the trust apologized for the error and also stated that the incident was unacceptable, with it being reported to the National Patient Safety Agency.