A 74-year-old woman who underwent surgery for a femur fracture at Dunedin Hospital tragically passed away due to heart failure, triggered by a pulmonary embolism and stroke. Her surgery had been repeatedly postponed, leading to a devastating outcome.
💔 90 Hours of Waiting: Surgery Repeatedly Postponed
Ms. A was struck down while enjoying a walk with her beloved dog, resulting in a severe femur fracture. The medical team initially planned to perform the surgery the very next day, but it was ultimately delayed until the fourth day.
Her surgery faced multiple delays due to:
🔹 Day 1: A car accident victim required immediate attention, causing a delay.
🔹 Day 2: An organ donation team occupied the operating room for an extended 4-hour period, further postponing her surgery.
🔹 Day 3: Four orthopedic surgeries were scheduled before hers, including patients who arrived later, pushing her procedure back once again.
Her daughter, deeply concerned, questioned the hospital’s resource management, noting that such surgeries are typically completed within 24 hours. Yet, her mother endured a grueling 90-hour wait.
⚠️ HDC Investigation Results
The Health and Disability Commissioner (HDC) ruled that Dunedin Hospital violated the patient’s rights due to the significant surgical delay. The HDC also criticized the hospital for not considering the possibility of transferring the patient to another facility. As a result, the HDC has requested the Ministry of Health to provide a written apology to the patient’s family and to report on the measures taken by Dunedin Hospital to reduce future surgical delays.
🔎 Have you or a loved one experienced surgical delays in New Zealand? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below! ⬇️
Comments are closed