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Case ref:201808408
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Date:July 2020
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Body:Lanarkshire NHS Board
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Sector:Health
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Outcome:Not upheld, no recommendations
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Subject:clinical treatment / diagnosis
Summary
C's parent-in-law (A) suffered from symptoms that they later learned were caused by having a stroke, and was taken by emergency ambulance to University Hospital Monklands. A CT scan carried out that day was reported as normal, but A's condition continued to deteriorate and they were admitted to the intensive care unit and put on life support. The following day, a repeat CT scan was performed which showed evidence of A having had a severe stroke and, following discussions with family, their life support was switched off and they died. C was concerned about the time it took staff to diagnose A with a stroke.
We took independent advice from a medical adviser. We found that the management of A including investigations and treatment decisions were appropriate and carried out within a reasonable time. Clinicians considered the possibility that A had a stroke and took appropriate action by arranging a CT scan, and then a further CT scan the following day. We did not uphold the complaint.