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Pensioner dies from pressure sore in Cardiff hospital
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Dated:
19/07/2012
Key Contact:
Marguarita Tyne
An NHS hospital has accepted that treatment for an elderly woman who died due to an infected pressure sore was "below standard".
Following cancer in 2011, Eileen Cliggett had been admitted to the Llandough Hospital in Cardiff for a hysterectomy. Given an epidural anaesthetic and kept in bed for a week, Mrs Cliggett was discharged 2 weeks after her operation, even though she had a pressure sore.
Re-admitted to hospital after a month when the sore became badly infected, Mrs Cligget, 79, died a few days later on August 17. The pressure sore was given as the official cause of her death.
Mrs Cliggett's daughter expressed surprise that a hospital could allow her mother's bed sores to become so infected that she died.
"I was shocked when I first saw the extent of my mother's injuries," said Brenda Cliggett, 52. "What happened to my mother should not be allowed to happen to anyone, particularly when in the care of hospital staff."
Ms Cliggett, a management consultant, added that although a risk assessment had been carried out, the appropriate NHS procedures to prevent pressure sores were overlooked.
While photographs of Mrs Cliggett 4 days prior to her discharge "clearly showed" a serious pressure sore, her daughter said the family only heard about her condition during a visit from a district nurse.
Admitting mistakes were made and that Mrs Cliggett had received "sub-standard" care, the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board have apologised to the family.
"We would like to reassure the family and the public that a thorough investigation was carried out using the multi-agency approach provided by the Protection of Vulnerable Adults process," said a spokesperson.
"This has led to changes in how we work including how we prevent and reduce pressure ulcers."
"The health board offers its sincere apologies to Ms Cliggett over the care of her mother Eileen, which we acknowledge was not acceptable and below the high standards we set for all our patients."
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