Mount Sinai Sued Over Retained Surgical Needle
A hospital-employed nurse practitioner filed suit alleging a 1.5-inch needle was left inside her for seven years.
Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Nursing Jobs
Jana Petriganova DeGregoris and Gerard DeGregoris have filed a lawsuit in Manhattan Supreme Court against Mount Sinai Hospital. The plaintiffs allege that a 1.5-inch needle was left in the patient's abdomen during surgery, remaining undetected for seven years.
Why it matters
This case highlights the enduring liability risks associated with surgical safety protocols and the high costs of medical error litigation. For hospital operators, these incidents underscore the criticality of rigorous instrument counting procedures to protect both patient health and institutional reputation.
The lawsuit involves a 1.5-inch needle discovered after seven years of suspected retention. Plaintiffs are seeking an unspecified amount of damages following the discovery of the foreign object during an October 2025 CT scan.
The players
Mount Sinai Hospital
A major New York City-based hospital network and academic medical center known for high-volume surgical services.
Jana Petriganova DeGregoris
A cardiothoracic nurse practitioner employed within the Mount Sinai network who is the lead plaintiff in this litigation.
The details
The patient, a cardiothoracic nurse practitioner at the Mount Sinai network, underwent a C-section in 2018 followed by abdominoplasty and hernia repair in 2021. The needle remained inside the patient until its discovery during a 2025 medical examination. Subsequent to the discovery, the patient required another surgery to remove the foreign object.
Timeline
June 28, 2018: Patient underwent a C-section.
November 17, 2021: Patient underwent abdominoplasty and hernia repair.
October 14, 2025: A 1.5-inch needle was identified during a CT scan.
September 24, 2026: Lawsuit was filed in Manhattan Supreme Court.
Market Landscape
This litigation occurs under the shadow of industry-wide focus on surgical 'never events' mandated by The Joint Commission's safety protocols. The case serves as a sharp reminder of the operational risks that persist despite long-standing efforts to standardize instrument tracking.
Operators should review current surgical instrument verification protocols to ensure redundancy in counts and imaging. Healthcare managers should ensure that legal counsel is prepared for the discovery phases of malpractice claims involving multi-year time gaps.
The takeaway
This case demonstrates that liability exposure for surgical errors can extend across years and multiple procedures. Management should treat every surgical encounter as a potential long-term record audit by maintaining exhaustive documentation of all instruments used and reconciled in the operating room.
Further reading
For broader trends regarding workplace safety and hospital operations, visit Nursing Jobs.
