Veteran Had Wrong Testicle Removed

(AP)  An Air Force veteran has filed a federal claim after an operation at a Veterans Administration hospital in which a healthy testicle was removed instead of a potentially cancerous one.

Benjamin Houghton, 47, was to have had his left testicle removed June 14 at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center because there was a chance it could harbor cancer cells. It also was atrophied and painful.

But doctors mistakenly removed the right testicle, according to medical records and the claim, which seeks $200,000 for future care and unspecified damages. He still hasn't had the other testicle removed.

"At first I thought it was a joke," Houghton told the Los Angeles Times. "Then I was shocked. I told them, 'What do I do now?'"

Houghton, his wife, Monica, and their attorney, Dr. Susan Friery, said they hoped to get the VA's attention by going public with the situation.

Dr. Dean Norman, chief of staff for the Greater Los Angeles VA system, has formally apologized to Houghton and his wife.

"We are making every attempt that we can to care for Mr. Houghton, but it's in litigation, and that's all we can tell you," he said. The hospital changed practices as a result of the case, he added.

[imarltool2u]

Look on the bright side, now he only has 1 ball to scratch. After the other ball is removed he'll have nothing to scratch.

[michellem99-2009]

I am grateful that you Vets do get health care.I have family who are Vets. My friend is a Vet. I know that Drs. are from abroad and their english is poor. I could not understand them and I am from the US of A. They need to speak in clear english so that errs don't happen like the Vet in the story. I have heard other Vets grite about their care. The Drs. need to be better trained and know and do the right thing. The thing with the VAMC is Vets never see the same Dr. as it is always a different one.They have health issues where the Vet needs a pramary care Dr. and the same Dr who know their case. It ia a good system that helps the Vet.

[gea_amicus]

I think 200K isn't enough to compensate for what they did to that poor man!

Sexual health and the enjoyment of intimacy are hard things to replace.

[michellem99-2009]

I wish to say that the VA hospitals help my Dad and friend who are vets. I lost a loved one in a hospital due their careless and that not a VA hospital. I am grateful that Vets get health care.

[eccentric506]

People are quick to blame the VA. The VA is no better or worse than any other healthcare facilities in the US. Every year there is a litany of errors commited every day.The fact that this was in a VA hospital only seems to exacerbate a boiling situation in the news media.

If a person does a bit of research they find that many people have the wrong limbs amputated, the wrong drugs injected or dosed, and wrong patient identification throughout the entire medical mission on a daily basis.

This does not assuage the vet with his problem, but is in reality the tip of the iceberg in the medical venues

[luckygirl042]

OMG, the poor guy. I am surprised he is only asking for $200,000. They will probably have to take the other one if there is a chance of cancer, then what does this poor man have? They should just give him millions, he has had a lot taken away from him at only 47 years old.

[stephntina]

I THINK SUEING THEM IS THE WAY TO GO. BECAUSE THATS JUST WRONG BUT I WOULD SEE ABOUT GETTING THE ONE THAT HAS THE POSSIBLE CANCER IN IT REMOVED BUT NOT BY THEM. HOPE ALL WORKS OUT FOR YOU.

[annd2302]

Posted by renrivers at 11:16 AM : Apr 05, 2007

QUOTE %u201CWhile some of you may find this no so alarming, this happens all to often in VA hospitals. %u201CUNQUOTE

OH, get a life. I also have had the long term care at the VA on a out and in patient both. Many many fine doctors and Nurses, and techs. How many different VA hospitals you been %u201CTreated in%u201D? WHAT, you say 2 or 3, wow let%u2019s say they are all bad. ALL 1400 of them. Get your stats right, then spout off.

Today it%u2019s a very different story. The VA runs the largest integrated health-care system in the country, with more than 1,400 hospitals, clinics and nursing homes employing 14,800 doctors and 61,000 nurses, and approximately 52,000 beds. For the sixth year in a row, VA hospitals last year scored higher than private facilities. The VA scored 83 out of 100.

Give them a break, when you come from near the bottom just a few years ago to what they are today, they will get my business until I die. Sure they are not at 100 but keep me out of the other 82.

One last thing, you say QUOTE %u201C. Over 20 years, I can count the good doctors I have seen in the VA system on one hand. %u201C UNQUOTE. Congratulations on educating yourself to help effect the problem, Doctor. You have had the last 20 years to help correct this situation, right????? Thought not. Go back to drinking your beer and like I said get your stuff in order before position to this site.

[tibu987]

There is a lot to be desired in the VA hospitals. Of three invasive procedures I had done at a VA hospital, two resulted in staph infections that are quite serious.
Cleanliness is lacking.
Most VA employees have attitude problems.
Most of the doctors are interns, they mean well, but are inexperienced.
The whole VA system needs a revamping and values
tweaked. It seems there are as many employees are there are patients, another example of the 8 hour loaf. It remains a monster out of control. Too big to rein in. Also, there are often very noticeable differences, some very good, some very bad, depending on where the hospital is located.

[annd2302]

Coincidence, ***-happens, bewilderment, heard-of it before, accident, chance, doo-doo-occur, fluke, twist-of-fate, quirk, happenstance, no matter what excuse the VA wants to use, LIFE, ladies and gentlemen, FULL LIFE has been taken from this man and his wife.

%u201CHoughton, his wife, Monica, and their attorney, Dr. Susan Friery, said they hoped to get the VA's attention by going public with the situation.%u201D

Just what do you specifically mean, %u201Cthey hoped to get the VA's attention by going public with the situation.%u201D

If there attorney cannot find the proper avenues to bring this to everyone%u2019s attention, then by all means change representation.