Community Medical Regional Center, in Fresno, Calif., was fined $86,625 after a non-surgical towel was left inside a patient for three months, according to an article on the Outpatient Surgery website.
The towel was intended only for surgeons to dry their hands and "not to ever be used internally," according to the hospital.
Community Medical discovered the towel during a second surgery, three months after a patient had had his bladder and prostate removed.
The hospital has "completed corrective steps, adjustments in procedures and appropriate training of staff," Michelle Von Tersch, vice president of corporate communications for Community Medical Centers said.
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