Decision Report 201705437

Summary

Mrs C complained that the board failed to provide her with appropriate care and treatment during her admission for day surgery at Queen Margaret Hospital. Following a procedure to remove her gallbladder, Mrs C was deemed to be fit to be discharged the same day. A number of days later she became unwell and was diagnosed with a serious infection.

Mrs C raised concern about whether the possibility of infection could have been foreseen and the decision to discharge her on the same day. She questioned why antibiotics were not prescribed and raised concern about the level of information she was given prior to discharge.

We took independent advice from a consultant upper gastrointestinal surgeon (a surgeon who specialises in the upper gastrointestinal tract which includes the gall bladder, liver, pancrease, oesophagus, stomach and small bowel). We found that there was no evidence of failings in the surgery provided to Mrs C. We found that there was no evidence of an active infection at the time Mrs C was discharged, and that it was reasonable, and in line with national guidelines, not to prescribe antibiotics. We did not consider that there was a reason to admit Mrs C overnight and were satisfied that the board had provided appropriate information to Mrs C prior to discharge. We did not uphold the complaint.