February 2017
Date: 05 May 2017
- Details:
The complainant did not feel that the care and treatment offered to the patient at the scene of a Road Traffic Collision between a car and a cyclist was not in accordance with the normal protocols that he had witnessed many times at similar incidents. He felt that the crew failed to listen to and gather the correct information to allow them to make a suitable decision about the care and treatment that the patient required.
- Findings:
The complaint was investigated by a Duty Locality Officer. All documentation completed for the patient was reviewed along with CAD for the call. The Investigating Officer discussed the incident with both the complainant and the two crew members. The crew reported that the mechanism of injury was reported to them by a witness and the injuries when assessed were consistent with the mechanism. The Investigating Officer was unable to clarify which mechanism was correct but he understood why the crew believed what they were told as the injuries were consistent.
Both the crew members separately stated that they were told that the patient had suffered a fit for roughly thirty seconds. The Investigating Officer discussed the findings with the clinicians about the potential for a head injury because of the fit. The crew members were able to confirm that this had been considered but due to the lack of amnesia, trauma and the stable observations they felt that the patient did not need immobilising.
The Investigating Officer did believe that the crew worked within the most up to date guidance but without being able to assess the patient himself he was unable to say whether he would have treated the patient the same.
- Lesson learnt / action taken:
Based on the complex case and the differences of opinion regarding the mechanism of injury, the Investigating Officer has recommended that both clinicians complete reflective practice for the incident paying specific attention to communication, to ensure that other professionals are aware of what is happening and why.
- Date:01 February 2017