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Opinion/00HDC00231
Parties involved
Mr A
Mrs B
Miss C
Dr D
Dr E
Mr F
Ms G
Ms H
Ms I
Ms J
Ms K
Mrs M
Mr O
Ms P
Complainant / Consumer’s father
Complainant / Consumer’s mother
Consumer
Provider / Ear, Nose and Throat Surgeon
Provider / Anaesthetist
Provider / Registered Comprehensive Nurse
Provider / Registered Comprehensive Nurse
Provider / Registered Nurse
Provider / Registered Comprehensive Nurse
Provider / Registered Nurse
Provider / Registered Nurse
Provider / Registered Comprehensive Nurse
Provider / General Manager of a private hospital
Director of Nursing of the private hospital
Expert advice was obtained from an independent nurse, Ms Glennis Birks, and an
independent anaesthetist, Dr Ian Campbell.
Complaint
On 5 January 2000 the Commissioner received a complaint from Mr A and Mrs B about the
treatment their daughter, Miss C, received at a private hospital. The complaint is that:
• On 18 October 1999 Miss C had her adenoids and tonsils removed by Dr D at the
private hospital. The anaesthetist was Dr E. An IV dextrose saline drip was
commenced which was prescribed to be administered at a rate of 80mls per hour.
• The private hospital staff failed to administer or monitor Miss C’s IV drip properly.
When Miss C vomited and ‘fitted’ medical staff misdiagnosed her symptoms as an
allergic reaction to Stemetil. As a result, on 18 October 1999 Miss C was transferred
to a public hospital, where she was diagnosed as having hyponatraemia and cerebral
oedema.
An investigation was commenced on 3 May 2000.
18 June 2002 1
Names have been removed to protect privacy. Identifying letters are assigned in alphabetical order and
bear no relationship to the person’s actual name.