Decision Report 201507776

Summary

Mrs C complained about the care she received prior to replacement pacemaker surgery at the Golden Jubilee National Hospital. She was concerned that her premedication had worn off before being taken to theatre and that the anaesthetist had missed the vein when cannulating her (inserting a thin tube into a vein). Mrs C was also in great pain when the anaesthetic drug was administered. When Mrs C came round from surgery, the cannula had been transferred to her other hand, and her hair was stained due to the solution used to cleanse the skin prior to the procedure and she had to have her hair cut. Mrs C also said that she had suffered from tinnitus since the procedure.

We took independent advice from an anaesthetist. We found that the medical records indicated a safe, uneventful anaesthetic procedure and that there were no failings. We were also satisfied that there was no evidence suggesting that failings by the anaesthetist led to Mrs C developing tinnitus.