Colonoscopy Failings Lead to Stoma and Six Figure Settlement
Substandard colonoscopy procedures have left our client with permanent health problems.
Mary had never suffered with bowel problems so when she developed abdominal bloating, cramps and diarrhoea, she went to see her GP.
An examination and ultrasound did not reveal an underlying cause so Mary was referred to surgical out patients with a view to undergoing a colonoscopy, a procedure where a tube with a camera is inserted through the anus to assess the condition of the bowel.
The colonoscopy appears to have been carried out without incident and reported normal findings. However, there was some concern about visibility during the procedure and the fact that no explanation for Mary's symptoms had been found.
A second colonoscopy was recommended and, as Mary's symptoms continued to worsen over the coming months, this was arranged for later in the year.
Unfortunately, during this second procedure, Mary recalls experiencing a severe pain and, when the endoscopist was in the process of removing the scope, he noticed a tear to the bowel wall.
In fact, it subsequently became apparent that there were two tears to the bowel.
The surgery team were alerted to what had happened and Mary had to undergo emergency surgery later that day to repair the bowel. It was considered necessary to form a colostomy and Mary was fitted with a stoma which she continues to need to this day.
Mary then needed to spend several days in critical care and the High Dependency Unit before being returned to the ward and discharged home.
Not surprisingly, Mary and her family were concerned about the quality of her medical care and approached Glynns to investigate what had led to this distressing and debilitating long-term outcome.
Glynns obtained Mary's medical records on her behalf and arranged for a gastroenterology expert to assess the processes and procedures related to her colonoscopy and its unfortunate outcome.
Our medical expert was critical of both the endoscopist's practice and the departmental procedures relating to patient care. It was felt that the tears to our client's bowel must have been caused by the use of excessive pressure during the colonoscopy. Furthermore, it was thought that an alternative method, a CT colonoscopy, should have been offered to the patient and, had this been the method used, a tear is unlikely to have happened.
In addition, questions were raised as to missing records and an apparent lack of investigation of a significant incident, both of which were regarded as unhelpful to patient safety in general.
An elderly lady, Mary requires, and will continue to require, help with managing her stoma. Despite a positive attitude, she is distressed by the need for a stoma and it has affected her confidence in social circumstances. She has also suffered hernias and leakage of the stoma which would not have been the case had the error during her colonoscopy not occurred. Her mobility has also been negatively impacted by this event.
Glynns supported Mary in making a claim for compensation for the debilitating consequences of her negligent medical care, and she has been awarded a significant six-figure sum in recognition of the impact on her quality of life and the financial costs of care and support, now and in the future.
(Details which might identify our client have been changed.)
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