Overview
The complainant (Ms C) raised a number of complaints against Tayside NHS Board (the Board) about the care and treatment of her late brother (Mr A) in Ninewells Hospital (the Hospital).
Specific complaints and conclusions
The complaints which have been investigated are that:
(a) Mr A was administered laxatives inappropriately and at the incorrect dose (not upheld);
(b) Mr A developed gastroenteritis which was not treated appropriately (not upheld);
(c) the Board failed to properly monitor Mr A's fluid levels and administer his intravenous drip on 25 and 26 April 2006 (upheld);
(d) the result of the post-mortem examination of Mr A's heart is at odds with his previous cardiac examinations at the Hospital (not upheld);
(e) the Board used insensitive language to describe the events leading to Mr A's death (not upheld);
(f) Mr A was inappropriately taken for an x-ray shortly before his death (not upheld); and
(g) nursing staff failed to appropriately monitor Mr A (not upheld).
Redress and recommendation
The Ombudsman recommends that the Board apologise to Ms C for their failure to properly monitor Mr A's fluid levels on 25 April 2006 and to properly administer his intravenous drip on 26 April 2006.
The Board have accepted the recommendations and will act on them accordingly.