A delay in receiving blood test results is being blamed for the death of an elderly man in an Auckland hospital.
The 83-year-old was suffering from four ulcers on his legs when he was admitted to Franklin Hospital one Saturday, mid-2008.
Initially diagnosed with a chest infection, the man was prescribed antibiotics and a blood test ordered for the following Monday.
Health and Disability Commissioner, Ron Paterson, says it was not until blood tests became available on the Tuesday afternoon that doctors discovered the seriousness of the man’s condition.
The man was rushed to Middlemore Hospital with advanced renal failure and sepsis. Due to the advanced stage of his condition, staff were only able to offer palliative care.
The man died 48 hours later.
Community hospitals need to have systems in place to deal with unstable patients, Mr Paterson said.
However he commended the Counties Manukau District Health Board on its “impressive and comprehensive response” to the man’s case, noting a new handover procedure which ensured more attention was paid to patients of concern.
3 News