SPOTLIGHT: Dignified settlement after medical error


The family of a former teacher who died after a preventable medical error at Seattle's Virginia Mason Medical Center has reached an unusual settlement with the hospital. Mary McClinton died during surgery to repair a blood vessel after being injected with a surgical cleaning solution. Virginia Mason publicly apologized for the error and accepted responsibility. The healthcare provider will make a charitable contribution to a foundation set up in McClinton's name to advance medical safety. The facility has also agreed to use the case in future medical training courses on the proper labeling of medicines. Story