Overview
The complainant (Miss C) raised a number of concerns about the care and treatment received by her mother (Mrs A) in Stobhill Hospital (the Hospital) prior to her death on 11 July 2007.
Specific complaints and conclusions
The complaints which have been investigated are that:
(a) despite having suffered Transient Ischaemic Attacks (TIA), Mrs A was discharged without having had a scan to determine the exact cause of her symptoms; in particular, she should not have been discharged after her second TIA (not upheld);
(b) Mrs A was prescribed aspirin, which Miss C said was unsafe (not upheld); and
(c) there was a delay in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board (the Board) informing the family that Mrs A had contracted MRSA (upheld).
Redress and recommendations
The Ombudsman recommends that the Board:
(i) stress to nursing staff the importance of comprehensive note taking;
(ii) formally apologise to Miss C for the delay in advising that Mrs A had contracted MRSA; and
(iii) emphasise to staff the importance of good communication in keeping family members advised of a patient's changing condition and of recording such conversations in the appropriate clinical notes.
The Board have accepted the recommendations and will act on them accordingly.