Summary
A Hawaii jury found a surgeon and hospital negligent after a screwdriver was used as a spinal implant during surgery.
Jury Awards $5.6 Million in Medical Malpractice Case
Highlights
The Incident
A Circuit Court jury awarded $5.6 million to the family of Arturo Iturralde, who died after a surgeon used a stainless steel screwdriver shaft as a makeshift spinal implant during a 2001 procedure at Hilo Medical Center.
Negligence and Liability
The surgeon, Dr. Robert Ricketson, argued the improvisation was necessary after titanium rods went missing. However, the jury found both the surgeon and the hospital negligent, noting the hospital failed in its credentialing process. Reports also indicated the surgeon had previously faced medical license suspensions in other states.