Mix up with dosage kills heart patient
It was at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, that a mix up in the correct dosage of medication lead to the death of one of their patients. Mr Paul Smith, aged 46, was recuperating after going through an operation during which a stent was implanted in to an artery to ease his heart condition.
It was during this recuperating period that he was administered the incorrect dosage of Clopidogrel. This drug is prescribed to patients to help to prevent the blood from clotting.
The incorrect dose was given over a month period, after which, the hospital then discharged Mr Smith. It was several weeks later that Mr Smith started suffering as a blood clot formed in his heart. Mr Smith was admitted back to hospital for urgent treatment to relieve the pressure on his heart, that he was experiencing from the clot.
The hospital staff tried to drain the fluid build up around his heart, but Mr Smith unfortunately died when his liver was punctured in the process.
The coroner reported that the dosage of Cloidogrel that was given to Mr Smith over the month period was actually sufficient to cover one year.
This intense amount over such a short period of time left his body unprotected shortly after he had his last dose. Coroner blames miscommunication between hospital staff and a failure to spot the problem which Mr Smith was still in hospital has raised awareness for better checking procedures to be carried out.