MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE PATIENT SAFETY
Failure to Monitor Treatment Side Affects
John Whelan with Specialist expertise in Medical Negligence and Patient Safety gives an example of a case which falls outside of the definition of a Notifiable Incident under the Patient Safety Act 2023. This example is one of many cases which should fall within the ambit of the Patient Safety Act 2023 and can be introduced by a Ministerial regulation under Section 8 of the Patient Safety Act 2023.
Failure to monitor treatment side effects can lead to significant harm, especially when Patients are receiving treatments with known risks, such as chemotherapy, certain medications, or post operative care. Here's an example:
Example of Failure to Monitor Treatment Side Effects: Chemotherapy Induced Neutropenia
Case:
A Patient with breast cancer was undergoing chemotherapy with a drug known to cause neutropenia (a dangerous reduction in white blood cells). Despite this risk, the healthcare team did not schedule appropriate follow up blood tests to monitor her white blood cell count during the treatment cycles.
Several days after receiving chemotherapy, the Patient began feeling weak and developed a fever. The Patient sought medical attention in A&E where blood tests revealed severe neutropenia, placing her at high risk for serious infections. Unfortunately, the patient developed sepsis (a life-threatening infection) due to the failure to detect her low white blood cell levels early enough. She required intensive care, prolonged hospitalisation, and aggressive antibiotic therapy to treat the infection.
Impact:
a) The Patient endured a life
b) threatening infection that could have been prevented with proper monitoring.
c) Her chemotherapy treatment had to be delayed until she recovered from the infection, potentially affecting her cancer prognosis.
d) The Patient experienced significant emotional and physical trauma, prolonged hospital stays, and increased medical costs.
Cause:
a) The healthcare team failed to follow established guidelines for monitoring Patients receiving chemotherapy, which recommend regular blood tests (complete blood counts) to check for neutropenia.
b) Lack of communication between the oncologist, nursing staff, and Patient about the importance of monitoring for side effects.
c) Inadequate Patient education on recognising early signs of infection or neutropenia, such as fever, which could have prompted earlier intervention.
For more detailed insights into how the Patient Safety Act 2023 impacts you and how Whelan Law can support you, please visit our Patient Safety Rights Legal Advice https://www.whelanlaw.ie/news/medical-negligence-and-patient-safety/