Medical Negligence Patient Safety Hypoxic Ischemic Encelopathy (HIE)
MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE PATIENT SAFETY HYPOXIC ISCHEMIC ENCELOPATHY (HIE)
UNDEFINED NOTIFIABLE INCIDENT
PATIENT SAFETY ACT 2023 AND CIVIL LIABILITY ACT 2017
Patient Safety concerns arose recently in relation to the maternal services provided at Portiuncula University Hospital which led to the HSE indicating that independent reviews are underway to review the care of 9 Patients between 2023 and 2024. Of the 9 cases 7 involve babies diagnosed with HIE (Hypoxic Ischemic Encelopathy) a very serious brain injury that is caused by lack of oxygen and limited blood flow to the baby before, during or after birth which can lead to significant medical consequences in the future. As the cases at Portiuncula show, the HSE have undertaken independent reviews in relation to the care of the babies diagnosed with HIE.
A diagnosis of HIE should be designated as a Notifiable Incident under the 2023 Patient Safety Act. There exists under the Act provision, (Under Section 8), for the Minister for Health to designate by regulation Notifiable Incidents other than the 13 incidents which are already contained within in the Act.
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-patient-safety-item-2-1-a-and-b-/