Decision Report 201902398

Summary

C complained that their partner (A) was prematurely discharged from the Golden Jubilee National Hospital following cardiac surgery. The surgery was successfully performed with no reported complications. A was discharged home from hospital as staff deemed they were clinically fit for discharge. C was concerned that A had been discharged as they had severely swollen feet. A's health deteriorated, and days after discharge an ambulance was called as A had severe shortness of breath and a high temperature. A was then admitted to another hospital where they were an in-patient for several weeks.

We took independent advice from a cardiology consultant (doctor who deals with diseases and abnormalities of the heart). We found that insufficient action was taken to establish the extent of A's heart failure and possible wound infection prior to their discharge from the Golden Jubilee National Hospital, which amounted to a failing in the standard of care and treatment required. We upheld the complaint.

Recommendations

What we asked the organisation to do in this case:

• Apologise to A for the failure to ensure their symptoms of severe fluid retention and possible infection were resolving prior to discharge from hospital. The apology should meet the standards set out in the SPSO guidelines on apology available at www.spso.org.uk/information-leaflets.

What we said should change to put things right in future:

• Staff should ensure that, where a patient shows symptoms of severe fluid retention and possible infection, appropriate clinical investigations take place to ensure that the symptoms are resolving prior to hospital discharge.

We have asked the organisation to provide us with evidence that they have implemented the recommendations we have made on this case by the deadline we set.