Catalogue of errors led to blood mix-up.Byline: LIZA WILLIAMS NURSES at a Merseyside hospital made a "catalogue of errors" when they gave a cancer sufferer the wrong blood, an inquest concluded. Margaret Davies Margaret Sidney Davies (December 14 1884 – March 13 1963), was a granddaughter of the philanthropist David Davies Llandinam. She and her elder sister Gwendoline became famous as patrons of the arts in Wales. , 67, died at Whiston hospital after the mistake, which saw nurses inject her with type A blood instead of type O. However, during an inquest in St Helens St Helens may refer to: Places:
His five-page narrative verdict concluded it was most likely Mrs Davies died from an abdominal infection and a perforated colon. After the hearing Mrs Davies's family, from St Helens, said they had been devastated by the way she died. Mrs Davies's son, Phil said: "This verdict does not alter the fact it has been a terribly distressing time for us. "My father and we as a family were very concerned when we found out that my mother had been given the wrong blood, which we believe was clearly avoidable. "Our main concern is to make sure that what happened to our mother, and the pain and distress it caused, does not happen to anyone else." Mrs Davies was admitted to Whiston hospital on March 15 2007, with a history of pain in her left groin. She had lymphoma and had received chemotherapy for a third time just two days before. She also suffered diarrhoea and was tested positive for clostridium clostridium Any of the rod-shaped, usually gram-positive bacteria (see gram stain) that make up the genus Clostridium. They are found in soil, water, and the intestinal tracts of humans and other animals. Some species grow only in the complete absence of oxygen. bacteria found in the intestine. By April 17 her condition had improved, but the next day she deteriorated and a CT scan CT scan: see CAT scan. See CAT scan. revealed a problem in the pelvic area. She was given two blood transfusions, but the second was meant for another Margaret Davies. The inquest had been told previously how nurse Ashworthy Joseph requested the blood from unqualified housekeeper, Gillian Ball, who did not check the date of birth or blood type on the packet. Margaret It was then left at a nurses' station because nurse Joseph and colleague Lesley Baines were busy. Not enough checks were carried out to ensure it was the right blood by the nurses. Mr Sumner said: "How the wrong blood was given to Mrs Davies was the result of a catalogue of errors by three of the staff... the blood transfusion blood transfusion, transfer of blood from one person to another, or from one animal to another of the same species. Transfusions are performed to replace a substantial loss of blood and as supportive treatment in certain diseases and blood disorders. policy was effectively ignored by two trained nurses." At 7.41pm Mrs Davies had a heart attack and she died within an hour. A spokesman for Whiston hospital said: "The trust offers its sincere condolences to the family of the late Mrs Davies. "The coroner has confirmed that Mrs Davies did not die as a result of being given a transfusion of incompatible blood. The coroner's verdict recognised that trust procedures for administering blood transfusions are robust. In this instance two experienced nurses failed to follow strict procedures, and were dismissed and referred to the Nursing and Midwifery Council The Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) is the UK regulator for two professions, Nursing and Midwifery. It does this through maintaining a register of all nurses, midwives and specialist community public health nurses eligible to practise within the UK and by setting . "With the advent of new technology, the trust is able to track blood electronically thus further improving patient safety." CAPTION(S): DEVASTATED: Phil Davies and sister Suzanne Gibbins with picture of their mum INQUEST: Margaret Davies |
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