A woman who suffered a heart attack and seizures after being given 10 times the recommended amount of adrenaline at Watford General Hospital has spoken out about her ordeal.
In March 2021, Rachael Emes, 47, was being treated for an adverse reaction to medication when the overdose was administered, leaving her in intensive care and fighting for her life.
Rachel continues to experience ongoing chest pains as a result of fluid around her heart, as well as trauma. She is a mother of two and grandmother to 10-month-old Nellie.
She said: “Psychologically, it has been terrible. I have had nightmares about what happened and have woken up screaming, knowing I could have died. When I feel the pains in my chest, which I still have as a result of what happened, I start to panic in case I am having another heart attack.”
A serious incident report by West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust found that a junior doctor who administered the overdose had “panicked” after Rachael’s reaction to the medication and the fact the initial dose of adrenaline failed to have an effect.
Rachel added: “We have had no support – we were told we would have to pay for our own counselling, we couldn’t get it on the NHS, even though this was caused by the NHS. I don’t understand it.
“I don’t think I’ll ever get over what happened. I can never trust that hospital to treat me again, knowing how close I came to dying through their error.”
A West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust spokesperson said: “We are very sorry for the shortcomings in care provided to Mrs Emes and we have sincerely apologised. We carried out a detailed investigation to learn lessons from this incident and implemented a series of actions as a result.
“This included sharing the latest anaphylaxis guidelines with all clinicians. The incident has also been highlighted in departmental teaching sessions and governance meetings.”
0 Comments