Hospital ‘unreservedly accepts’ report’s findings
Calvary Hospital has formally apologised to the family of a 94-year-old female patient who died following a fall.
Chairman of the board Fergus More said the hospital unreservedly accepted the findings of both the coroner and the Health and Disability Commission which found the hospital failed to provide the patient with adequate care.
Aged Care Commissioner Carolyn Cooper released her decision on the case on Monday, after it was referred to the Health and Disability Commissioner’s office by the coroner.
Cooper raised concerns about communication between the staff caring for the woman, oversight and the standard of documentation at the rest home.
The elderly woman was being assisted to walk, despite instructions from her physiotherapist that she wasn’t able to, when she fell, fracturing her knee and hip.
She was deemed unfit for surgery because of other, pre-existing concerns, and died in hospital soon after.
“Calvary Hospital unreservedly accepts the findings of both the commissioner and the coroner. The hospital failed to follow the physiotherapist’s direction that the patient could not walk, [and this] failure by the hospital became a significant factor in the cause of the patient’s passing,” More said.
The tragic incident had enabled management and staff at the hospital to implement processes to avoid a situation like this happening again, he said. “The Commissioner made particular reference to the systems Calvary has put in place since the incident,” More said, adding that these were now available on the Health and Disability Commission’s website for educational purposes.
They include clear explanations of patients’ mobility needs on boards above their beds, along with a whiteboard in the nurses offices where they can be alerted to any changes; software that allows any staff member to notify nurses of changes to a patient’s care; and a group strength and balance class for residents.
“Such systems now in place are innovative, comprehensive and are very much safe practice,” More said.
Calvary prided itself on its name and reputation and for employing staff with a high skill level, who enjoyed working in a supportive environment, under the skill and leadership of strong management, he said.
“On behalf of the Calvary Hospital Board, I too extend my sympathies to the patient's family.”