MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE PATIENT SAFETY
UNDEFINED NOTIFIABLE INCIDENT
Patient Safety severe allergic reaction to medication or treatment.
John Whelan Solicitor 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 as envisaged by the Patient Safety Act 2023.
There are 13 Notifiable Incidents set out in the Act but other notifiable incidents may be introduced by Ministerial regulation under Section 8 of the Act.
An example of a Notifiable Incident regarding Severe allergic reaction to medication or treatment:
A notifiable medical incident involving a severe allergic reaction to a medication or treatment occurs when a patient experiences a life-threatening reaction, such as anaphylaxis, after receiving medication or undergoing a treatment. These reactions are often preventable and may result from failures in medical history review, improper monitoring, or failure to act promptly.
Example: Anaphylactic Reaction to Antibiotic Administration
A 50 year old Patient with a known history of penicillin allergy is admitted to the hospital for a routine surgery. During post operative care, the Patient develops an infection, and the GP prescribes the antibiotic, a first generation, cephalosporin to treat it. Despite the documented penicillin allergy, the connection between penicillin allergies and potential cross reactivity with cephalosporins is not considered by the healthcare team.
Shortly after the administration of the antibiotic the Patient develops symptoms of anaphylaxis, including difficulty breathing, swelling of the face and throat, a drop in blood pressure, and a rapid heartbeat.
What went wrong: The Patient's documented allergy to penicillin was overlooked during the prescription of the antibiotic, a drug that can cause allergic reactions in individuals with penicillin allergies due to possible cross reactivity. The healthcare team failed to review the Patient’s allergy history thoroughly, and the medication was administered without proper monitoring for potential allergic reactions.
Consequences: The Patient experiences a severe anaphylactic reaction and requires immediate emergency intervention, including administration of medication, intravenous fluids, and intubation to secure the airway. The Patient is transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) for monitoring and recovery. Although the Patient survives, the reaction leads to significant distress, prolonged hospitalisation, and additional medical costs.
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/