An investigation into the medical care of a 76-year-old gentleman who passed away from sepsis just 48 hours post-discharge from the University Hospital Limerick (UHL) has been initiated. Michael Cuddihy was admitted to the hospital on the 20th of November, 2023, following severe discomfort and persistent vomiting, where he remained on a trolley for an 18-hour stretch before being examined.
He was later diagnosed with a simple stomach ailment and was told he could leave. However, due to his continued suffering, he requested to stay in the hospital overnight. Hospital documentation inspected by RTÉ Investigates reveals Mr. Cuddihy was found to be vomiting in the night by nurses, and was noted to have a fever without further action from hospital staff.
Mr. Cuddihy was discharged from the hospital the following day, and sadly passed away two days later from sepsis caused by a lodged gallstone. This unfortunate event occurred 11 months after Aoife Johnston, a 16-year-old girl, died from sepsis at UHL after a more than 15-hour wait on a trolley.
Anne, Mr. Cuddihy’s daughter, spoke to RTÉ, saying she couldn’t fathom how lessons hadn’t been learned from the tragic loss of a young life, and how the necessary measures weren’t taken to avoid such happenings. She also conveyed her distress, stating that calling for an ambulance and arriving at the hospital in dire health should ensure a safety net of care, which, in her father’s case, ended in him being sent home, where he then died.
Confirming an ongoing review of Mr. Cuddihy’s treatment during his time in the emergency department under the HSE’s Incident Management Framework, a representative from UHL shared that a preliminary assessment was already complete and its recommendations were shared with the Cuddihy family and fully implemented. Furthermore, he revealed that a systems analysis review concerning Mr. Cuddihy’s care is also underway.
The representative reiterated that a single tragic result does not always share common factors, and utilisation of the incident management structure permits them to offer some resolution to patients and their families, as well as enhance their facilities after comprehensively assessing the evidence.
With regards to the unfortunate passing of Michael, which is currently under coroner’s investigation, they will determine the cause of death. Due to the respect for the family as well as the procedure in the coroner’s office, the spokesman noted that it wouldn’t be apt to comment further on the matter at this point.
Relaying the hospital’s utmost empathy towards Mr. Cuddihy’s family with regard to their unthinkable loss, the spokesman communicated that their thoughts were beyond consoling words at this difficult period.
Furthermore, the spokesman highlighted that there had been a shortage of two nurses in the emergency unit on the night of the admission. The hospital wholeheartedly acknowledges the amplified risk towards patient safety caused by consistent overcrowding.
In response, the hospital representative mentioned, measures are being initiated to augment staffing levels; broaden different healthcare routes to lessen emergency department visits and admissions; improve patient flow procedures and introduce temporary capacity solutions while waiting for the two 96-bed inpatient blocks to be constructed at UHL in the forthcoming three years.