May 2017
Date: 28 July 2017
- Details:
The ambulance service was called out to an elderly lady who had suffered a fall from the toilet. The paramedic arrived, lifted the patient from the floor and into her bed. The paramedic did not carry out a thorough check on the patient. A few hours later the patient was screaming out in pain to her leg, another ambulance was called and she was transported to hospital.
- Findings:
As part of the investigation the Investigating Manager spoke to the complainant and apologised for the distress that was caused as a result of the incident. The Investigating Manager also reviewed all the documentation and spoke with the crew regarding the incident. The clinician reported that he considered a hospital assessment for the patient but was influenced by the patient and her partner both asking to remain at home. The patient’s partner also stated that they he was planning on taking the patient to a routine GP appointment later that day. The clinician gave worsening advice that if the pain didn’t settle after taking Ibuprofen and Paracetamol that they were to call 999 again.
- Lesson learnt / action taken:
The clinician was given advice and support regarding dealing with difficult assessments of patients with previous conditions. He has also been provided with advice on how to assess patients suffering with dementia as they will often struggle to provide accurate pain analysis. Safety netting patients to the Out of Hours GP, their own GP or alternative HCP’s when they are left at home was also discussed at length with the clinician.
- Date:01 May 2017