A surgeon failed to realise a patient was deteriorating after a bowel perforation
A surgeon failed to realise a patient was deteriorating after a bowel perforation
15 August 2022
The man in his 70s suffered the damage during a colonoscopy - and was stable when transferred to hospital and treated conservatively, without surgery.
He got sicker over three days but the consultant surgeon didn't notice.
The following day the man had urgent surgery but died soon after from septicaemia.
Health and Disability Commissioner Morag McDowell says the surgeon missed an opportunity to intervene on day three.
She says the surgeon should provide a written apology to the family.
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