A NSW surgeon has been barred from practising for six months after she operated on the wrong end of a patient’s bowel, a catastrophic error that contributed to the patient’s death. The New South Wales civil and administrative tribunal found Dr Liu-Ming Schmidt guilty of professional misconduct for her treatment of multiple patients, including a 79-year-old man who required a stoma after a bowel perforation.
The tribunal decision highlighted that Schmidt “brought out the wrong end of the bowel” during surgery, causing a complete mechanical bowel obstruction. The stoma could not pass faecal material, leading to complications that ultimately contributed to the patient’s death. A coronial inquest found the surgical error, along with delayed diagnosis and underlying natural causes, were contributing factors.
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Details of the Surgical Error
In December 2019, the 79-year-old patient was transferred to Albury hospital with a perforated bowel, identified via CT scan. He needed a segment of bowel removed and a stoma created. However, Schmidt connected the wrong end, rendering the stoma non-functional. The tribunal characterised this as a “catastrophic error” and found her post-operative care inadequate.
Other Cases of Professional Lapses
The tribunal also reviewed Schmidt’s treatment of 13 patients. In one case, she failed to complete a colonoscopy and missed a detectable cancer. During the hearing, Schmidt claimed she had addressed concerns and engaged in self-reflection, but the tribunal concluded her conduct fell significantly below reasonable standards.
Impact on Patient Safety
This case underscores the importance of surgical precision and accountability in healthcare. Wrong-site surgery remains a rare but devastating error. The six-month suspension sends a clear message that such lapses will not be tolerated.
| Error Type | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Wrong bowel end connected | Complete obstruction, stoma failure |
| Incomplete colonoscopy | Missed cancer diagnosis |
| Inadequate post-op care | Prolonged complications, death |
Key Takeaways
- Surgical errors can have fatal outcomes – this case led to a patient’s death.
- The NSW tribunal found Dr Schmidt’s conduct significantly below standards.
- Wrong-site surgery is preventable through checklists and double‑checking anatomy.
- Patient safety relies on thorough post-operative monitoring.
FAQ
What did the NSW surgeon do wrong?
Dr Liu-Ming Schmidt operated on the wrong end of a patient's bowel while creating a stoma, causing a mechanical obstruction. She also failed to detect cancer in another patient due to an incomplete colonoscopy.
How long was the surgeon suspended?
The NSW civil and administrative tribunal barred Dr Schmidt from practising medicine for six months.
What was the patient outcome after the wrong-site surgery?
The 79-year-old patient died from complications of inflammation, with the surgical error listed as a contributing cause. The coronial inquest also noted delayed diagnosis of bowel obstruction.
This ruling highlights the need for rigorous surgical standards and accountability. Patients and families affected by medical errors may seek legal recourse, but prevention remains the ultimate goal.
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