‘My temperature was 41 degrees’
System saved mum
Midwives at Wishaw Hospital helped save the life of a new mum seriously ill with sepsis .
They sprung into action using a new NHS early warning system after Caitlin O’neill, 22, became unwell after returning home with baby Hallie.
Caitlin and Ha l l i e , now 13 months old, were discharged from University Hospital Wishaw soon after a textbook birth and she was keen to get home to start family life with partner Dale Mccaskie, 24.
A few days later, she feared her stitches may have become infected and attended hospital where nurses using the trial MEWS ( Maternal Early Warning System), were able to reassure her everything was fine.
However, a couple of weeks later her condition took a turn for the worse.
She said: “I was cold and shivering and needed Dale’s help to get to the toilet.”
Eventually she felt so bad she called her mum. She said: “I just felt everything was shutting down.”
Her mum drove her to hospital and she was so weak her dad had to carry her inside where nurses, again using MEWS, quickly detected her condition had deteriorated and immediately called a consultant.
Caitlin said: “I remember nurses pulling me on to a bed and were checking my temperature and putting ice packs on me.
“Apparently my temperature was 41 degrees and I was hallucinating.
“I don’t remember a thing after that until I woke up in intensive care with my mum, dad and Dale round me.
“I could see their mouths moving but I couldn’t hear them. I turned my head and passed out again.”
Hallie had contracted the potentially fatal sepsis which could have killed her had it not been for the quick action of MEWS.
The programme has now been rolled out across the country to ensure all maternity units do the same checks in relation to response, recognition and escalation of potential illness to help prevent maternal death. A Motherwell man has denied making offensive remarks towards a woman.
Stuart Clark is alleged to have behaved in a threatening manner likely to cause fear and alarm in the town’s Phoenix Place on August 18.
It is claimed Clark made the offensive remarks after repeatedly kicking and striking a door causing damage to it as well as shouting and swearing.
Clark, of High Street, Motherwell, denied the charge against him when he appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court this week and was granted bail.
The 27-year-old is due to stand trial on November 7.