An Australian grandmother says she was left in severe pain and permanently disfigured after allegedly being mistaken for another patient with the same first name. Debra Buchanan went to Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital in January for what was supposed to be a routine procedure to remove a cancerous skin tag from her pelvic area. Instead, she woke up to discover that part of her external genitalia had been removed.

Buchanan says the confusion began before surgery when staff called out “Deborah.” She questioned whether they meant her, while another patient nearby also had the same first name. After the operation, Buchanan says she woke up bleeding heavily and was told it was “part of the operation.” She then discovered that the original skin tag was still there and realized the wrong procedure had allegedly been performed.

The former dental nurse described the experience as devastating. She later had to return to the same hospital for the procedure she originally needed, despite being terrified after what had happened. “You can’t make a mistake on a person,” she said. “It’s not like breaking a cup. It’s life to them.” Her lawyer called the incident a “complete systemic failure” and said Buchanan is seeking damages while also hoping to raise awareness.

Western Health said it could not comment on an individual patient because of privacy obligations, but stated that adverse events are reviewed under Victoria’s Statutory Duty of Candour requirements. The case has raised serious questions about the safeguards hospitals use to make sure the right patient receives the right procedure—and what happens when those safeguards fail.