Clinical Negligence Solicitor Calls For Lessons To Be Learnt After Anaesthetic Blunder Leads To Patient’s Death
27/01/2010
A leading clinical negligence solicitor has called for lessons to be learnt after a 72-year-old man from Birmingham tragically died after hospital staff failed to follow anaesthetic procedures.
Victoria Blankstone, a medical negligence solicitor from Irwin Mitchell, called on hospitals to take better care of patients when administering anaesthetics after Anthony Beard, from Northfield, died at Queen Elizabeth Hospital after being admitted for a routine hernia operation in March 2009.
Whilst under general anaesthetic, Mr Beard aspirated the contents of his stomach into his lungs and was was transferred to the hospital’s Critical Care Unit. However, despite the best efforts of clinicians there, he died 17 days later on 14th April 2009.
An inquest held at Birmingham Coroner’s Court today returned a narrative verdict “that the deceased died as a consequence of aspiration of stomach contents”.
It was later found that the anaesthetic team did not follow the correct procedure for carrying out a general anaesthetic where aspiration of stomach contents presents a serious risk to the unconscious patient, despite being aware of the risk.
Ms Blankstone has claimed that the death was “totally avoidable” and that steps need to be taken to avoid a repeat tragedy.
“This tragic death was in our expert’s view totally avoidable,” she claimed. “The anaesthetist who was responsible for Mr Beard’s care failed to follow a very basic anaesthesia procedure known as rapid sequence induction, which would have prevented this incident from happening.”
Mr Beard was first admitted to the Queen Elizabeth on 24th March 2009 with severe abdominal pain when a scan revealed problems relating to a hernia surgery that Mr Beard had undergone some years previously. Surgery was however delayed for five days during which time Mr Beard suffered symptoms of a painful, swollen abdomen and was sick on a number of occasions.
“During general anaesthesia a patient is not simply ‘asleep’ but is totally dependent upon life support,” Ms Blankstone continued.
“At this most vulnerable time in a patient’s hospital care, the anaesthetist really does hold the patient’s life in his or her hands and it is vital that proper procedures are followed.
“Sadly, medical evidence and the findings of today’s inquest show that Mr Beard, did not receive the basic level of care he was entitled to receive.
“Mr Beard’s family will be taking time to review today’s inquest findings before deciding on their next course of action which may include taking legal action against the Hospital Trust.”
Tony’s brother, Mr Barrie Beard, who lives in Bromsgrove, commented: “It has been very difficult coping with Tony’s death. He was always so lively and happy. When we went to see him in the Critical Care Unit it was like seeing a completely different person lying there. This shouldn’t have happened and although it’s sadly too late for Tony we want to make sure that the hospital has learned lessons so that no-one else has to suffer as he did.”
Mr Beard, leaves behind his partner, Mary. The couple had been together for 40 years.
In addition to being a well respected local college lecturer, Mr Beard, played a significant role in his local community, undertaking training for the disabled, the police force and prison services. He also worked for a local magistrate’s court and stood as a Liberal Democrat local council candidate for Newtown.
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