Hospital accused of covering up misdiagnoses that led to a woman's organ removed

The University Of Kansas Hospital finds itself in some hot water after a lawsuit was filed by a woman, claiming misdiagnoses led to her organs and other body parts being removed.

Wendy Ann Noon Berner has filed a lawsuit against The University of Kansas Hospital, as well as, now-former chairwoman of the pathology department, according to KCUR.

The suit claims that the former chairwoman, Dr. Meenakshi Singh, made the misdiagnoses, then took several steps to cover it up from the patient and the hospital.

Berner's lawsuit accuses both the hospital and Singh of civil conspiracy, fraud, and negligence.

In September of 2015, Berner underwent surgery to have her “cancerous” pancreas removed, along with several body parts, after she was diagnosed with a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor.

If it hadn't been for a separate lawsuit, Berner may have never learned about the misdiagnoses. According to KCUR and the lawsuit, a former department head and pathologist, Dr. Lowell Tilzer, had filed a suit against the hospital, in what he clams was retaliation after discussing the Berner case to the Joint Commission.

Tilzer's allegations have been investigated by a Federal agency. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services maintain that “deficient practices” have put all patients at risk who received medical attention at the hospital, according to KCUR. Further, the investigation concludes, that the hospital didn't meet quality and standards required for treating patients.

Berner's lawsuit was filed on Tuesday, and she has yet to comment to the press about her case, as advised by her lawyer. Listed as defendants in the lawsuit are Dr. Singh, Dr. Timothy Schmidt, who performed the surgery, as well as the University of Kansas Hospital, University of Kansas Medical Center, and the University of Kansas physicians.

Surgery For Financial Gain

While the Berner case may not be related to a USA Today study that was performed back in 2015; since 2005, the study found as many as 1,000 doctors have paid to settle or close malpractice claims after patients allege to have received a surgery that they did not need.

The report from USA Today claims that up to 20 percent of all surgeries in some specialties are unnecessary. As Medicare and insurance companies continue to pay for these surgeries, the incentive for the doctor is greater than not, as the study found doctors stand to gain financially from these unnecessary procedures.