A grievous medical mistake led to the untimely death of William “Bill” Bryan after a surgeon at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital mistakenly removed his liver instead of his spleen. This horrifying event has stirred public outcry over the hospital’s surgical safety measures, pushing authorities to investigate the incident thoroughly to prevent future tragedies.
The catastrophic error took place at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital in Miramar Beach, Florida, on August 21, 2024, when Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky performed a laparoscopic splenectomy on 70-year-old Bill Bryan. During the procedure, Dr. Shaknovsky mistakenly removed Bryan’s liver, causing immediate and catastrophic blood loss that resulted in Bryan’s death.
Following this fatal error, Dr. Shaknovsky didn’t realize his mistake and labeled the removed liver as a “spleen.” It was only later when a pathologist identified the removed organ as the liver, while Bryan’s spleen, with a small cyst, was still inside his body. Mrs. Beverly Bryan, Bill’s wife and a nurse, demanded thorough scrutiny by legal authorities and seeks both civil and criminal charges against the surgeon. She wants to ensure Dr. Shaknovsky is prevented from treating other patients.
Bill Bryan’s death is not the first surgical error committed by Dr. Shaknovsky. The surgeon previously wrongfully removed a portion of a patient’s pancreas in 2023 during an adrenal gland resection. These recurrent instances of gross negligence underscore the dire need for rigorous safety protocols in surgical practices. According to Beverly Bryan’s attorney, Joe Zarzaur, Dr. Shaknovsky’s misconduct represents one of the most egregious cases of medical malpractice he has encountered, reinforcing the urgency for immediate action.
“It’s one of the most egregious cases of medical malpractice that I’ve ever been involved with,” said Joe Zarzaur, during an online press conference. “The doctors kept suggesting that it was too dangerous to move him, that his spleen could rupture, and they needed to go forward with the procedure.”
Beverly Bryan initially wanted to return to Alabama for the surgery, but Dr. Shaknovsky and the hospital’s chief medical officer, Dr. Christopher Bacani, convinced her to stay due to the risks involved. Tragically, their assurances resulted in fatal consequences for her husband. Now, Mrs. Bryan and her family are represented by Zarzaur Law, P.A. They demand accountability and profound changes to prevent such calamities from happening again.
Ascension Sacred Heart released a statement emphasizing their commitment to patient safety and announced a detailed investigation into the tragic event. However, this incident casts doubt on their proclaimed commitment, calling into question the effectiveness of their existing safety protocols. Beverly Bryan’s tragedy has also prompted intense scrutiny from the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, which is reviewing the facts to determine if any criminal negligence occurred. This comprehensive investigation, along with potential corrective actions, aims to bolster patient safety protocols and prevent future occurrences of such devastating errors.
“Walton County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the District 1 Medical Examiner’s Office and Office of the State Attorney is reviewing the facts involving the death of William Bryan to determine if anything criminal took place,” said Public Information Officer Corey Dobridnia in an email. “At this time, it would be incorrect to say criminal charges have been filed. Our agency asks for the public’s patience as these cases are extremely complex and take time to investigate. The only reliable source of information regarding any criminal case will come from our office.”
The gravity of such blatant surgical errors exemplifies severe flaws in the current system, making the call for stringent safety measures louder than ever. Cases like these stress the necessity for implementing enhanced verification processes pre- and post-surgery to protect patients’ lives and uphold the medical profession’s credibility.
