Family questions early release from hospital
Maeve O’Donnell, 36, from Main Street, Buttevant, Co Cork, died in the Mercy University Hospital (MUH) in Cork on November 19, 2006, just five days after a high risk procedure to remove part of her thyroid through a 10cm incision in her neck.
MUH surgeons, Prof O’Sullivan and Mr Mayilone Arumugasmy, performed the operation on November 14. Post operative checks showed an elevated white blood cell count and a high temperature, indications of a possible infection. But Mr Mayilone said she did not show any other signs of infection, was otherwise well, and the decision was taken to discharge her on November 17.
Ms O’Donnell, who had a history of depression, was discharged to St Stephen’s psychiatric hospital where she was an in-patient.
She began vomiting and shaking with a high fever the following day and was referred back to MUH where her condition deteriorated rapidly. Despite aggressive treatment, she developed septic shock and multi-organ failure.
Her father Jack O’Donnell asked why she had been discharged so soon after a major operation.
Mr Mayilone said it was not uncommon for patients who had undergone such procedures to be discharged within 24 or 48 hours.
“She was held longer. It was felt she was well enough to be discharged,” he said.
But Mr O’Donnell said staff at St Stephen’s became very concerned about her condition shortly after her arrival there. Mr Mayilone said doctors were “shocked” at her condition when she was readmitted to MUH.
An infection after such an operation was extremely uncommon, he said.
Assistant state pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster said death was caused by a massive infection of staphylococcus aureus, a common bacteria which is carried by all healthy people and not to be mistaken with MRSA.
The jury returned a verdict of death by medical misadventure, the unintended outcome of an intended medical procedure.
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