Texas Surgical Errors Highlight the Importance of Hospital Patient Safety Transparency

A new investigation by The Dallas Morning News raises serious concerns about preventable surgical errors in Texas hospitals and the challenges patients face when seeking accountability.

Published October 20, 2026, the investigation, Under the Knife, examines serious surgical errors known as “never events,” including procedures performed on the wrong patient or body part and surgical objects unintentionally left inside patients. According to the reporting, Texas hospitals and surgical centers report approximately 200 such incidents annually across these categories.

The findings underscore the importance of hospital patient safety, transparency, and access to reliable quality information.

Through its involvement with The Leapfrog Group, the DFW Business Group on Health supports greater transparency in hospital safety and quality reporting, helping employers and healthcare purchasers make more informed decisions about healthcare value.

Read the full investigation: Wrong operation, wrong patient: Hundreds of Texans suffer extreme surgery errors with little recourse – Emily Brindley, The Dallas Morning News, October 20, 2026.

Please note: Access to the full Dallas Morning News article may require a subscription.