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Case ref:202106489
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Date:June 2023
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Body:Lothian NHS Board - Acute Division
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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 complained on behalf of their sibling (A) about the care and treatment that they received during a hospital admission. A had a cannula (a thin tube inserted into a vein or body cavity to administer medication, drain off fluid, or insert a surgical instrument) fitted which then became infected and caused them to develop sepsis (an infection of the blood stream). C complained that A had requested the cannula be removed sooner and that this was declined. C also complained that A had advised staff that they felt unwell and that this was not taken seriously, and also that their medication had not been properly managed.
We took independent advice from a consultant in acute internal medicine. We found evidence in the medical records that A declined to have the cannula removed. There is no other documentary evidence from the time about A either refusing, or requesting, to have the cannula removed. We found that the care and treatment provided was reasonable.
We also found that A's medication had been properly managed and that they did not note any failings in the communication with A and their family. We did not uphold this complaint.