Summary
Mrs C, an advice worker, complained on behalf of her client (Ms A) about the treatment which Ms A received following admission to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary with symptoms of right upper quadrant pain and inflammation. Investigations led to a diagnosis of chronic cholecystitis (inflamed gallbladder). Treatment options were considered and it was decided to insert a drain, rather than perform surgery at that time, with a referral to a hepatobiliary surgeon (surgeon specialising in the treatment of the liver, bile duct and pancreas) for ongoing treatment. Ms A was discharged home but was readmitted to hospital as an emergency due to further right upper quadrant pain and required surgery. By the time of readmission, Ms A had not received any correspondence from the surgeon. Ms A said that surgery should have been performed during the initial admission and that the delay in treatment caused her additional health problems.
We took independent advice from a consultant in general surgery. We found that Ms A had multiple medical problems and that upon admission to attempt keyhole surgery would be impossible and open surgery would be challenging. It was appropriate to discharge Ms A with a drain in situation for follow-up by specialists at a later date. Although there were gaps in communication with Ms A, this did not impact on her clinical treatment. We did not uphold the complaint.
Related reading
View Decision Report 201905268 as a PDF (24.44 KB) Updated: July 22, 2020