The 45-year-old disabled man died of sepsis after he was referred to Bassetlaw Hospital, in Nottinghamshire, for intravenous (IV) antibiotics for a urine infection
A father of two tragically lost his life after a 34-hour wait for antibiotics at a Midlands hospital.
The 45 year old disabled man succumbed to sepsis following a referral to Bassetlaw Hospital, Nottinghamshire, for intravenous (IV) antibiotics to treat a urinary infection. However, an investigation by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) concluded that his death could have been prevented.
The man, who resided in supported accommodation in Ollerton, Nottinghamshire, was diagnosed with a rare incurable disorder known as Alexander disease. This condition, which affects the nervous system and causes developmental delays, resulted in respiratory and mobility issues requiring round-the-clock care, including assistance with feeding and personal hygiene.
Brit Bondi Beach survivor’s escape – from dodging bullets to heartbreaking call
Donald Trump slammed as ‘desperate’ and ‘pathetic’ after mystery announcement
Due to his condition, he had a permanent catheter and was prone to urinary tract infections, according to the PHSO. In November 2022, he contracted an infection resistant to oral antibiotics, leading his GP to refer him to Bassetlaw Hospital.
The PHSO’s investigation revealed that he received the correct IV medication over a day after his arrival at the hospital, and it was administered at half the required dosage. By the time a second dose was given, which was also delayed, the man had developed sepsis and sadly passed away a week later, reports Birmingham Live.
His disabilities made it challenging for him to communicate with the hospital staff and express his concerns about the lack of treatment. His mother, too, voiced her worries about his treatment to the staff, but she was never informed that he hadn’t received the antibiotics.
The ombudsman’s investigation revealed that despite paramedics and care home staff advising the hospital to administer IV antibiotics, medical professionals did not heed their advice.
Instead, after consulting with a microbiologist, doctors opted for oral medication, only to discover it was not available. The inquiry found that doctors should have sought further guidance, which likely would have resulted in quicker administration of IV antibiotics.
In response to the PHSO’s recommendations, Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has agreed to pen a letter to the man’s mother acknowledging the shortcomings, offering an apology, providing financial compensation, and outlining an action plan to prevent such incidents from recurring.
The 70 year old mother expressed her frustration, saying: “I knew my son better than anyone and I was trying to help the doctors by telling them the oral antibiotic wouldn’t work and that the GP had a microbiologist’s report that said he wouldn’t respond to that drug.
“But they just totally dismissed me. Their attitude was they were the doctors and I was just his mum.”
She continued: “It was heartbreaking to finally understand the truth. I was given the impression he had at least been given some antibiotics, even if they weren’t the right ones. But to find out he was in hospital for all that time with no treatment was very hard.
“It won’t bring my son back but it has given me closure and no one else should have to go through the same thing now that the trust has been held to account.”
Karen Jessop, chief nurse at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals, expressed her regret over the incident, stating: “We are truly sorry for what happened in this case and for the loss experienced by the patient’s family.”
She continued: “We reviewed the information and care provided at the time through our patient safety panel. Immediate actions were implemented to strengthen how antibiotics were prescribed, escalated and given.”
Meanwhile, PHSO chief executive Rebecca Hilsenrath voiced her concern, saying: “Losing a life through sepsis should not be an inevitability. But we are seeing the same failings repeated time and time again, and complaints about sepsis have more than doubled over the past five years.”
She added: “We also see poor communication between patients and clinicians and we are focusing our efforts to help improve this throughout the NHS.”
