Dialysis unit not at fault
(CNS): Following the death of one patient and medical complications in three others who had all received treatment at the HSA's dialysis unit over a three day period last week, an expert has stated that the unit itself is not at fault. Although one person had a fatal heart attack and a second remains in intensive care, the implication from the Professor of Medicine and Nephrology at the University Hospital of the West Indies is that the death and the three other medical incidents are down to coincidence in a high risk group of patients. Professor Everard Barton, the regional expert in kidney disease, gave the local unit the all clear Tuesday and concluded that there was no link between it and the death or complications.
Health Minister Osbourne Bodden said that Professor Barton was brought to Cayman "out of an abundance of caution" because of the four incidents in the dialysis population, which includes around 50 patients.
"Professor Barton reviewed patient records, met with doctors, nurses and biomedical technicians, inspected machine service and water quality logs and has concluded that there is no link between the dialysis unit, dialysis treatments, medical or nursing management and those four incidents," officials from the HSA stated.
Professor Barton found that despite the patients' "challenging and complex co-morbidities, the dialysis treatments and general clinical management in the dialysis unit is exemplary". He said that the quality of the water and the management of the water treatment system all meet international standards of care.
Bodden added that he was comforted by the professor's findings but said that more importantly the expert's findings provides reassurance to the patients and staff. The minister said he hoped that any speculation about the standards or safety of the unit could "now be put to rest", as staff continue to deliver a quality service for those in need.
The minister offered his condolences to the family of the deceased patient.
Category: Health
Ozzie please check out this link in the comment by UHUHUH (not verified) on Wed, 13/08/2014 – 16:11.
Heart Attack, Cardiac Arrest During Dialysis Treatment
His review of that unit was too limited. Why is it that he hasn't spoken to any patients to understand their experiences and concerns?
That unit has had many issues over the years and often too much fluid is removed from patients. Other times only one neede is used in the port which does not allow for proper transfer of the fluids
I have first hand knowledge of the mistakes being made there and he needs to go back and review several years worth of patients.
Not in this report, but another news site, Minister Bodden claims the other patients have 'bounced back'. Really? I'll bet that the family and friends of the two men still in CCU on breathing machines would beg to differ. How pathetic.
My late mother was a dialysis patient at the GT Hospital and she bemoaned the fact that the unit was onderstaffed and overworked. That was over a decade ago. Could it be that the same situation exists?
Like it or not, Cayman is in one hell of a mess, and there is no solution over the horizon! Every corner in this country are taken over by outside aliens who DO not care for the people, only that God Almighty CI$. The Hospital, the police, immigration, in fact all government offices have their trend of rude and don't care people, supermarkets, gas stations, some pharmacies, etc. and Oh I forget the churches, this breed of people are just dommemaring, rude and obnoxious. These are the type that say "Caymanians don't like them ," but they should rememmber they are strangers in our country and we are allowed by the Bible to treat them well, (Leviticus 19) but they are not to destroy our heritage and hate us. A few months ago my friend had to get some blood works at the hospital only to realise the person drawing blood were a former cashier from a supermarket. These workers needs to be properly screened in such positions, and remember we are dealing with people lives.
hey 14:06. I am a Bracker,,,,,,,,,,,Born and bread………….I observe thats all. And I do not consume alcohol
And your point is?
Heart Attack, Cardiac Arrest During Dialysis Treatment
If they [C.I. HospitalDialysis Unit] are using these either of these two products then they may want to take a second look!
can't we just get Dr. Shetty's help?
Amazing. One little article and all of a sudden we have expert nephrologists in Cayman speaking up. If only you had said something earlier, there would never have been any deaths among dialysis patients.
nephrowhat?
To 12:31
Sir, Madam, I'm hoping you're not one of those working in the medical field on our Island. The reason being, is this: Anyone with any knowledge of health care and/or medicine would never refer t o this article as "One Little Article"! Someone lost their life! Possibly because someone else felt as you do. These things willcontinue to happen when those whose responsibility it is to keep abreast of what's happening in the world of medicine, tend to treat such occurrences in a manner such as you do!
The two products referred to in my comment are "Granuflu & NaturaLyte which have recently been recalled by the FDA because of the very things that have occurred at our Hospital. Perhaps the reason why these things happen and will continue to happen,[if nothing is done] is, because those in charge of our Dialysis Unit have a similar outlook as you do which is:
IT'S JUST ONE LITTLE PROBLEM!
RESIGN NOW Osbourn Bodden.
For you to think these incidents are mere coincidences proves how unfit you are to be Minister of Health. How can this matter be put to rest? Did you forget the part that a patient died just imagine if it was a member of your family I bet you wouldn't allow it to be ignored!
I wouldnt trust the personal viewpoint of a man that runs a gas station on medical care. But I am more than prepared to listen to a a professor of medicine specilaised in the subject who has no axe to grind and is demonstrably neutral. Sure both the professor and the minister understand someone died – but what do you want? He hasn't ignored the death, he commisioned an investigation. Seems you are not going to be happy unless someone is to blame. Well, let's ask if the victim had the dietary habits conducive to good kidney health, and if all else fails move onto bad luck/genetics/God. Happy now?
The equipment my be in good working order. But was the equipment used correctly……
We have so many "qualified" experts here on Island working, I hope that their qualifications and experience are duly confirmed by the relevant institutions and we are not just collecting paper and taking their word. I have met a few "nurses" and "doctors" working at the GT Hospital and their attitude on the job is definitely disturbing. Our CI$ is of great value to many who are merely here for the CI$.
Many of the staff and doctors are so short staffed that they just trying to get by at that hospital? Underpaid and overworked and have to work at times in a field of medicine in which they are not qualified? Mistakes will happen…..
The Government is trying hard here, but the whole infrastructure is falling apart?
They charge $1200.00 for disposal when you bring in a new car. But We know the problem with the dump…..
They paying 80-100 Million on soocial services and we the working class have to get taxed in order for them to give hand outs? Some them Brackers just waking up now–but I had to be at work by 8:30 AM…..80% them over there on social services and just taking advantage of us?
I am a native caymanian, but the stress level here is gettign too high. You cannot survive here anymore…………..
$0.80 per gallon of gas we purchase is taxed…..OMG! WHat a hole this is becoming? I making plans to move on…….You working full time and cant make end meet, much less retire here? Vicious cycle that is consuming us?
Well, based on the amount of question marks in your post I wonder if you're really aware of what you just wrote and how it was written. Since you like those question marks so much, here's a question for you, why you don't lay off the Brac bashing? It's getting really boring now. While you're over here fussing up yourself about Brackers, they're probably over there having a cold one and getting a kick out of people like you. What you need to talk about is how the rest of us over here are having to pay for social services to take care of the many dependents that were brought in to this island when all of the status grants were given away some years ago.
This writer is clearly afflicted with upspeak – making a question out of a sentence that is not a question, a style of speech so common amongst young people today. If read out loud in a Kardashian voice you can kind of understand the message.
No Sireee, nuttin' ever wrong here in good ol'Cayman-especially true if you make squinty eyes and tilt your head to one side-its perfect here!
This one smells odd. Only independent forensics will solve this case.
There is never any negligence in Cayman –HEy guys, wake up, " It is a government fun hospital!"
Ever since I was affected by HSA misdiagnosis, I go private only!!!!!
At least you can sue them if they mess up????
Did they speak to any patients? How did they come to this conclusion? I know a patient who has complications and the overseas physicians in the USA have said staff here are NOT doing it properly.
Why do we have to get the report from the University of the West Indies? Are we too predudiced to use a report from the good ole USA? We should even have staff from there.
And if you did there would be people bitching about work permits, and people from outside the Caribbean lecturing us. Give it a rest. Highly experienced independent expert opines – Caymaniansprefer to believe in conspiracy and cover up irrespective – thats what this is about.
yeah right. Can we get a second opinion please? because I truly find it hard to believe that "the death and the three other medical incidents are down to coincidence".
This sounds like they are trying to prevent a law suit.