Health and Wellness
With regard to the death of a patient, whose name has been furnished to her Department for purpose of her reply, who presented at the emergency unit at the Victoria Hospital with severe leg pain and numbness, and subsequently passed away
(1) Whether her Department has conducted an investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident; if not, why not; if so, what were the findings;
(2) whether the incident has been linked to (a) staff shortages, (b) high patient volumes or (c) systemic capacity constraints in emergency units; if so, what are the relevant details?
(1) Yes. The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness has conducted an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the patient’s presentation at Victoria Hospital Emergency Centre.
The investigation included interviews with the staff involved, as well as a review of the patient folder and other relevant hospital and electronic records. The investigation was completed by senior management.
The investigation confirmed that the patient’s symptoms of severe leg pain and numbness were recorded and that analgesia was provided at triage. It was further noted that triage provides rapid clinical prioritisation, while the diagnosis of an acute vascular occlusion requires formal medical evaluation by a doctor. The Head of Emergency advised that it is not possible to determine with certainty the severity or timing of disease progression at the time of triage. It also cannot be stated definitively that earlier diagnosis would have prevented the loss of the limb or the subsequent fatal outcome.
Victoria Hospital has acknowledged the family’s distress and extended its condolences. Hospital management is currently reviewing ways to improve real-time communication with patients and families in the Emergency Centre, including visual displays and screens, so that patients and families are better informed while waiting.
(2) (a)(b)(c) The investigation did not make a direct causal finding that the incident was linked to staff shortages, high patient volumes, or systemic capacity constraints.
