St James’s Hospital in Dublin has issued an apology for the shortcomings that resulted in the death of a 53-yr-old man who suffered an anaphylactic shock after being administered a steroid pain injection, reports Breaking News.
Martin Staines, a father of five from Tallaght in Dublin, experienced a fatal reaction to a substance called polyethene glycol, which was contained in the steroid injection, reports Breaking News.
Counsel for the Staines family, Michael Counihan SC, instructed by solicitor James McSweeney, told the High Court that Mr Staines, who had been left with an ankle injury following a fall on ice several years earlier, received the injection into a joint on July 31st, 2015.
Counsel said that, regrettably, the hospital ought to have been aware that Mr Staines had an allergy to the ingredient in the injection, reports Breaking News.
“He went into shock and died immediately, to the complete shock and distress of his family,”
Counsel said. Mr Counihan told the court the matter had been resolved after negotiations and that it was evident the hospital was remorseful “over the tragic and unfortunate event”, reports Breaking News.
The settlement terms remain confidential, and the case came before the High Court for approval of the €35,000 mental distress solatium payment.
In a letter of apology read to the court by Declan Buckley SC on behalf of St James’s Hospital, the hospital extended its sincere sympathies to the Staines family, reports Breaking News.
“The loss of your husband is deeply regretted by all staff and management at the hospital, especially those who were involved in his care,” it said.
The letter continued: “We apologise for the failings that led to the death of Mr Staines. While we cannot fully comprehend the ongoing impact this loss has had on your family, we are truly sorry for the pain and distress caused to you,” reports Breaking News.
Mr Staines’ widow, Lorraine, told the court she had lost her husband and best friend of 35 years.
“He was a huge presence, someone who brought warmth, reassurance, endless laughter and love to everyone around him,” she said, reports Breaking News.
She informed Mr Justice Paul Coffey that her husband died as a result of anaphylactic shock. “An allergy that was well documented. His death was and should have been completely preventable,” she said.
Since her husband’s passing, she said the family has endured “overwhelming grief,” reports Breaking News.
The family, she said, had waited a decade “for some accountability, ten years of reliving what happened on that fatal day and carrying a loss that never eases.”
She told the judge she hoped the case would bring about change so that no other family would have to endure what they experienced, reports Breaking News.
Nothing she said could ever restore the life and years they have lost or relieve the pain they continue to bear.
In proceedings initiated by Lorraine Staines against St James’s Hospital, Dublin, it was alleged there had been a failure to properly manage, treat or otherwise care for Mr Staines and, in particular, to adequately consider or address his allergy syndrome, reports Breaking News.
It was further alleged that there was a failure to clearly record and list all known or suspected substances to which Mr Staines was allergic, which was claimed amounted to substandard care.
There was also an alleged failure to recognise Mr Staines’ previous allergic reaction to the same steroid, reports Breaking News.
In noting the settlement and approving the allocation of the solatium, Mr Justice Paul Coffey extended his deepest condolences to the Staines family. The judge described the matter as an unusual and tragic case.
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