The doctor was cautioned by the public health disciplinary board (Hälsö- och sjukvårdens ansvarsnämnd – HSAN) for the oversight when stitching up the woman. A midwife at the hospital was also cited.
The new mum suffered infection and fever in the days after giving birth and approached the health services.
A first swab was then found and removed but the woman continued to suffer discomfort. A second swab was then located and removed 11 days later.
Neither the doctor nor the midwife have taken responsibility for the mistake. They both claim that the cloth swabs, used to dry away excess fluids, were forgotten as a result of a miscommunication.
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