4 patients die from medicine allergy

FOUR patients in hospitals have died as result of being given medication they were allergic to despite their allergy being documented beforehand, figures from the State Claims Agency reveal.

Two of the deaths, which occurred during the past six years, were due to the administration of penicillin-containing products. A further number of patients experienced illness leading to admission to intensive care units and increased length of stay in hospital.

The claims agency runs the healthcare system’s Clinical Indemnity Scheme and all enterprises indemnified by the scheme are required to notify clinical incidents and near misses to it.