Overview
Mr C raised a complaint with Tayside NHS Board on behalf of his mother (Mrs A) about an extravasation injury she received following an IV infusion. Mr C also complained that his mother had not received proper or adequate follow-up after the injury causing several months of pain and distress before having the injury treated by plastic surgery.
Specific complaints and conclusions
The complaints which have been investigated are that:
- (a) the Board failed to properly manage an IV infusion, resulting in an extravasation injury (not upheld); and
- (b) the Board failed to follow the appropriate policy and procedures with respect to such an injury (upheld).
Redress and recommendations
The Ombudsman recommends that the Board:
- (i) make a written apology to Mrs A for the failure to properly follow the appropriate procedures following her injury and for failing to adequately ensure appropriate follow-up by plastic surgery while Mrs A was still an in-patient at the Hospital and following her discharge; and
- (ii) revise the current procedure for referral of extravasation injury in-patients to the Plastic Surgery Team with particular regard to ensuring continuity of review while an in-patient and appropriate follow-up action on discharge (in particular the giving of follow-up advice to GPs).
The Board have accepted the recommendations and will act on them accordingly.