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Case ref:201808122
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Date:November 2019
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Body:Lothian NHS Board - Acute Division
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Sector:Health
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Outcome:Upheld, no recommendations
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Subject:clinical treatment / diagnosis
Summary
Mr C complained that St Johns Hospital did not provide reasonable treatment to his late father (Mr A) during his hospital admission. During admission Mr A received an incorrect dose of paracetamol which the hospital recognised and responded to. The board determined that the medication error was not a contributory factor to Mr A's death.
We took independent advice from a consultant geriatrician (a doctor who specialises inmedicine of the elderly). We found while the general treatment provided to Mr A was reasonable, a significant error occurred, leading to Mr A receiving an overdose of paracetamol. Therefore, we upheld the complaint. Wenoted that the board have already taken action to address this failing so madeno further recommendations.