Decision Report 202200345

Summary

C complained about the care and treatment provided to their late partner (A) who was admitted to hospital with hallucinations and delirium. C complained that hospital staff labelled A an alcoholic and that this negatively impacted the treatment that they received. A was treated for a suspected urinary tract infection (UTI) but died in hospital. C was critical of several aspects of the treatment A received, including concerns about their nutritional intake, the medication they were given and the staff's response to the rapid deterioration of A's condition.

In their response, the board apologised that C had been given the impression that staff felt the only cause of A's delirium was alcohol excess. The board explained A's clinical presentation and the reasoning for treating them for suspected UTI and alcohol withdrawal. The board explained A's condition rapidly deteriorated in hospital and resulted in a cardiac arrest. The board's position was that the care provided was reasonable.

We took independent advice from a consultant in respiratory and general medicine. We found that a reasonable working diagnosis of a possible infection was determined and the treatment plan was appropriate. We considered that the care and treatment provided was reasonable. Therefore, we did not uphold C's complaint.