Woman dies following misdiagnosis and being given inappropriate medication
Specialist medical negligence lawyers from Irwin Mitchell helped a widower take legal action following the death of his wife as a result of clinical negligence.
Sarah had a history of depression, cervical spondylosis and high blood pressure. In March 2009 she developed a chest infection and in April 2009 she visited her GP for a follow up appointment.
It was noted that Sarah's blood pressure was low and her heartbeat was irregular. Her GP referred her to the Medical Assessment Unit at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield. She was given a referral letter to take to the hospital along with details of her current medication.
Sarah attended hospital at 1pm that day. A nurse noted that Sarah's blood pressure and heart rate had increased.
A junior doctor then saw Sarah and concluded that her increased heart rate was probably due to a chest infection. Sarah was prescribed with 100mg of Atenolol and further tests were recommended.
Shortly after 3pm, Sarah was given the Atenolol. At 4pm medical staff noted that she was clammy and sweaty and her blood pressure had dropped. Steps were taken to give Sarah fluids to help increase her blood pressure, along with other medication.
Sadly Sarah suffered two cardiac arrests. She was transferred to Intensive Care where, despite medical intervention, her blood pressure continued to fall and she died later that evening.
At an Inquest in March 2010 the Coroner returned a narrative verdict, noting that Sarah's death was contributed to by serious failures in the diagnosis and management of her heart disease.
The Coroner concluded that medical staff had failed to diagnose that Sarah was suffering acute congestive heart failure, that the interaction between her existing medication and the medication administered in hospital was not considered and that the high dose of Atenolol was inappropriate considering Sarah's low blood pressure and heart failure.
Sarah's widower contacted medical negligence specialists at Irwin Mitchell. A settlement was agreed after liability for Sarah's death was admitted.