Sligo University Hospital Apologizes After Routine Endoscopy leaves Woman with Life-Changing Injuries
Sligo University Hospital has issued a formal apology to Kathleen Healy, an 82-year-old woman whose throat was perforated during a routine endoscopic procedure in July 2022, resulting in devastating, life-altering injuries.The apology was read at the High Court by the hospital’s legal representatives after Mrs. Healy settled her case against the Health Service Executive (HSE).
Mrs. Healy,a resident of Rathedmond in Sligo,had been living a fit,healthy,and entirely autonomous life before the incident. She was referred for the procedure by her GP after experiencing pain and heartburn. The endoscopy, performed under sedation by a surgical registrar, had to be abruptly halted when Mrs. Healy began to bleed. A subsequent scan revealed a perforation in her oropharynx, a critical part of the throat.
The complications didn’t end there. Mrs. Healy developed a severe infection, requiring an extended hospital stay and intensive care. Tragically, she lost the ability to eat or drink and now relies on tube feeding. Her independence was stripped away, forcing her to relocate from her home in Sligo to a nursing home in Dublin.
The psychological toll has been profound. Once self-reliant, Mrs. Healy is now entirely dependent on her family. Her move to Dublin meant leaving behind friends in Sligo and the ability to visit her husband’s grave.
in a letter of apology, Sligo university Hospital and the HSE expressed “a sincere apology for the perforation suffered during endoscopy at the hospital in July 2022,” acknowledging the “life-changing circumstances” that followed. Senior counsel Liam Reidy, representing Mrs. Healy, told the court that she accepted the apology and “forgives the Registrar who caused the perforation.”
However, Mrs. Healy remains distressed that the hospital initially sought to discharge her after the procedure. Rather, she was transferred to a hospital in Galway, where she received the care she needed.
The terms of the settlement were not disclosed, but mrs. Healy’s daughter, Siobhán brosnan, expressed relief that it would enable her mother to access additional therapies, such as physiotherapy and speech and language therapy.Ms. Brosnan described the past two years as “horrific” for her mother. “She was so courageous, such a community worker, she helped everybody and then went for a routine procedure and got life-changing injuries,” she said.
Despite the challenges, Mrs. Healy remains persistent. “My Mum is 82, but she has lots of ambition and plans.She is not the type of person to just sit in her room,” Ms. Brosnan added.”My Mum wants to live.”
The family also expressed gratitude to their solicitor, karen Kearney of Cantillons Solicitors, who “held our hand” throughout the legal process.
| Key Details | Summary |
|————————————-|—————————————————————————–|
| incident | Throat perforation during routine endoscopy at Sligo University Hospital |
| Date | July 2022 |
| Patient | Kathleen Healy, 82, from Rathedmond, Sligo |
| Outcome | Life-changing injuries, inability to eat or drink, relocation to nursing home |
| Apology | Issued by Sligo University Hospital and HSE |
| Settlement | Terms undisclosed, enables access to additional therapies |
This case highlights the devastating consequences of medical errors during routine procedures and underscores the importance of accountability in healthcare. For more information on medical malpractice and its implications, visit this resource.
Headline: “A Conversation on Medical Errors: lessons from Kathleen Healy’s Endoscopy Tragedy with Dr. Amelia Hart, Gastroenterologist and Medical Malpractice Expert”
Introduction:
In a recent disturbing case, Kathleen Healy, an 82-year-old woman from Sligo, Ireland, found her life forever changed after a routine endoscopic procedure at Sligo University Hospital resulted in life-altering injuries. The incident highlights the potential consequences of medical errors and the critical role of accountability in healthcare. Today, we’re joined by Dr. Amelia Hart, a renowned gastroenterologist and medical malpractice expert, to discuss this tragic case and its implications.
The Case of Kathleen Healy: A Routine Endoscopy Gone Horribly Wrong
senior Editor (SE): Dr. Hart, thank you for joining us today. Let’s start with the basics. Can you explain what happened to Kathleen Healy during her routine endoscopy?
Dr. Amelia Hart (AH): Thank you for having me. In a nutshell, Mrs. Healy underwent an endoscopy, a common procedure where a thin, flexible tube with a camera is passed down the throat to examine the esophagus and stomach. Though, during her procedure, her throat was perforated, a severe complication that caused devastating consequences.
SE: What led to this perforation, and is this a common complication?
AH: The specifics of mrs.Healy’s case are not entirely clear, but perforations during endoscopy can occur due to instrumentation,äte, or patient-related factors. Fortunately,they are rare,with an estimated incidence of about 0.1% in diagnostic endoscopies. However, when they do occur, they can be life-altering, as we’ve seen in Kathleen Healy’s case.
The Devastating Impact on Mrs. Healy’s Life
SE: Mrs. Healy’s injuries have been life-changing. Can you walk us through the sequence of events and the impact they’ve had on her life?
AH: Unfortunately, yes. The perforation led to a severe infection, requiring intensive care and a prolonged hospital stay. Due to her injuries, Mrs. Healy lost her ability to eat or drink normally and now relies on tube feeding. This has led to a meaningful loss of independence, forcing her to relocate from her home in Sligo to a nursing home in Dublin. The psychological toll has been profound – she’s gone from being self-reliant to being entirely dependent on her family.
The hospital’s Apology and the Importance of Accountability
SE: Sligo University Hospital and the HSE eventually issued a formal apology. How crucial is accountability in cases like these?
AH: Accountability is paramount in medical malpractice cases. It ensures transparency, helps victims and thier families find closure, and serves as a learning possibility for the healthcare system. Apologies, like the one issued in this case, can go a long way in acknowledging the harm caused and facilitating the healing process for victims and their families.
Preventing Future Incidents: Lessons from Kathleen Healy’s Case
SE: What lessons can be learned from Kathleen Healy’s case to prevent similar incidents in the future?
AH: Incidents like these are complex, but there are always lessons to be learned. Ensuring adequate training and competence of staff, enhancing patient safety protocols, and fostering a culture of open communication and learning from errors can all contribute to reducing the likelihood of such tragedies. Moreover, prompt recognition and management of complications, as seen in Mrs. Healy’s case, are critical to mitigating their impact.
The road to Recovery and the Role of Compensation
SE: Mrs. Healy settled her case,with the compensation reportedly enabling her to access additional therapies. How important is compensation in the recovery process for victims of medical malpractice?
AH: Compensation can play a crucial role in the recovery process. It can help cover the costs of additional therapies, home modifications, and other expenses related to the injury. Moreover, it can provide a sense of justice and recognition for the harm suffered. However, it’s important to remember that monetary compensation cannot undo the damage caused.
SE: Thank you, Dr. Hart, for your insightful viewpoint on this case. It’s our hope that sharing Kathleen Healy’s story can definitely help raise awareness about the potential consequences of medical errors and the importance of accountability in healthcare.
AH: Your welcome. I’m grateful for the opportunity to discuss this important topic. Let’s hope that lessons learned from cases like Mrs. Healy’s can contribute to better patient outcomes and a safer healthcare system in the future.
