Medical Negligence Patient Safety Incidents Section 8A
MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE PATIENT SAFETY INCIDENTS SECTION 8A
PATIENT SAFETY ACT 2023 AND CIVIL LIABILITY ACT 2017
Patient Safety Incidents as envisaged by Section 8(a) of the Civil Liability Amendment Act 2017.
John Whelan Solicitor with specialist expertise in Medical Negligence and Patient Safety gives examples of a Patient Safety Incident as envisaged by Section 8A of the Civil Liability Amendment Act 2017.
Section 8(a)
An incident which has caused unintended or unanticipated injury or harm to the Patient and which occurred in the course of the provision of a health service to that Patient.
Patient Safety incidents are events or circumstances that could have, or did, lead to unintended or unexpected harm to Patients during the course of healthcare. Several cases have shed light on the prevalence of such incidents in the healthcare system. Here are examples of Patient Safety Incidents which occurred during the provision of health services.
1. Wrong Site Surgery
a) Incident: Wrong site surgery refers to cases where surgery is performed on the wrong part of the patient's body, a serious Patient Safety Incident.
b) Harm: These mistakes result in unnecessary surgery on a healthy body part and the original problem remaining untreated, leading to further complications, emotional distress, and additional corrective surgeries.
2. Medication Mistakes
a) Incident: Medication mistakes, including administration of the wrong medication, incorrect dosage, or failure to identify harmful drug interactions, are among the most common Patient Safety Incidents in hospitals and care settings.
b) Harm: In an example, a Patient in a hospital was mistakenly administered a higher dose of a sedative, leading to severe respiratory distress. Other examples have involved Patients receiving incorrect chemotherapy doses or antibiotics they were allergic to.
3. Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs)
a) Incident: The occurrence of healthcare associated infections, such as MRSA in hospital settings is a known safety risk. Patients in hospitals have contracted these infections due to poor hygiene practices, inadequate infection control measures, or delayed identification of infections.
b) Harm: These infections can lead to extended hospital stays, increased morbidity, and in severe cases, death.
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/