The High Court case regarding the death of a man inside a hospital due to a travelling air bubble in his brain has been settled by the man’s family. After removal of a central line in his neck, 67-year-old Martin Best was fatally afflicted. The incident occurred at Mayo University Hospital just before he was set to be discharged.
The central venous catheter (CVC) line that delivered his medication was taken out while Mr. Best was seated, contrary to protocol that recommends lying down. As the senior family counsel, Damien Higgins, appointed by solicitor David O’Malley, explained to the High Court, Mr. Best suffered a devastating neurological injury, triggered by air entering his system and reaching his brain.
Mr. Best, a grandfather, passed away on 12th January 2019, four days following the incident at Castlebar hospital. The court was informed that the proper protocol would dictate Mr. Best to be lying down when the line was removed.
Apologies from Mayo University Hospital were presented in a letter to the court, acknowledging the deviation from protocol in removing the CVC lines. They admitted to letting Mr. Best sit during the removal. The death also necessitated a coroner’s postmortem instead of a hospital one, which they acknowledged. “We deeply regret these issues and extend our sincere apologies to you and your family,” expressed Catherine Donohue, hospital General Manager. The hospital extended their condolences sincerely to the widowed Mrs. Best and the extended family.
Outside the Four Courts, his daughter, Sharon Best, expressed that the settlement and apology brought a bittersweet feeling and acknowledged the tough half a decade that the family has endured since Mr. Best’s death. She expressed hopes that the protocol for CVC removal is implemented and continually evaluated to prevent such occurrences in every Irish hospital.
She fondly remembered her father as a warm-hearted, kind, and generous individual who never came home that unfortunate day. The mental distress and death of her husband at the hospital led Geraldine Best, Mr. Best’s widow, of Childers Heights, Ballina, Co Mayo, to file a lawsuit against the HSE.
Mr. Best was a chronic lung disease patient who was admitted to the hospital on December 29th, 2018 due to breathing complications. Following the necessary investigations, he was discharged.
Upon scrutinising his X-rays the following day, it was suggested that additional imaging was necessary due to a specific area of medical concern. The man began experiencing symptoms of breathlessness and sought medical aid at a hospital on the 1st of January, 2019, where an examination was conducted. His condition took a turn for the worst when he displayed signs of respiratory failure, coupled with rapid atrial fibrillation, leading to his immediate admission.
In order to cater to his critical condition, he was shifted to a high dependency unit in the hospital. A CVC line was installed through his neck as a part of his treatment procedure. The patient displayed a much improved state by the 4th of January, so much so that he was deemed fit enough to be moved to a general ward.
On January 8th, 2019, the CVC line, previously implanted into his neck, was detached and, as claimed, thereby causing an air bubble in his vein and the patient immediately became unconscious. There are allegations that he sustained a devastating neurologic impairment which regrettably led to his demise on the 12th of January, merely four days later.
The specific terms of the settlement remain undisclosed, and the hearing was undertaken by the court to partition the statutory distress payment of €35,000. Upon learning about the settlement, Mr Justice Paul Coffey expressed his profound condolences to Ms Best and her extended family.
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