Elderly woman dies at hospital due to doctor’s inaction, sparks criticism from regulatory body
A doctor at Örnsköldsvik hospital in Sweden is facing criticism after an elderly woman died due to carbon dioxide poisoning. The Inspectorate for Care and Care (Ivo) has expressed concern over the doctor’s inaction, stating that it took ten hours before blood samples were taken, which ultimately revealed the cause of death.
The woman, who was described as multi-morbid, had been admitted to the hospital after losing consciousness. Initial examinations showed no signs of brain hemorrhage or any other abnormalities. However, Ivo noted that apart from X-rays of the brain, no other measures were taken to investigate the woman’s condition.
It was not until carbon dioxide poisoning was detected that the woman was deemed unfit for intensive care. Ivo has accepted this decision, but still expressed concern over the delay in detecting the poisoning. The hospital has also been criticized for waiting an entire day before informing the woman’s relatives about her deteriorating condition.
Ivo has indicated that it will follow up on any measures taken by the hospital in response to the incident. The regulatory body aims to ensure that such cases of negligence and delayed action are addressed to prevent future tragedies.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of prompt and thorough medical care, especially for vulnerable patients. It highlights the need for doctors and healthcare providers to be vigilant and proactive in their approach to patient care.
The hospital has not yet responded to the criticism. It remains to be seen what actions will be taken to address the concerns raised by Ivo and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.