Thelma Jones

Dear Miss Hamilton-Deeley, TheLate Mrs Thelma Patricia Jones Thank you for your letter of 13 August 2015 enclosing the Regulation 28 Report outlining the two matters that cause you the most concern, namely AMU and the NEWS scores and thank you also for agreeing to extend the deadline date for response to 7 November 2015 Would you please pass on our condolences to the family and friends of Mrs Thelma Jones on their sad loss_ As you know, we are always willing to review our practices, in order to identify improvements which can be made in the light of experience We have carried out careful review of the medical records with the appropriate personnel AMU Care and Discharge planning The Acute Medical Unit has daily bed/MDT meeting at which each patient is discussed individually: Mrs Jones was admitted to AMU on 16 February 2015 with diarrhoea and fast atrial fibrillation/flutter. A chest X-Ray showed no acute findings, inclucing no evidence of cardiac failure or infection: She was reviewed by a Consultant at 18.24 and an initial diagnosis of Atrial Flutter /Fibrillation was made with a query as to whether it was a new onset or secondary to diarrhoea. Mrs Jones was reviewed by a Consultant on four separate occasions throughout the 17 February: She was given IV fluids, digoxin and Bisoprolol. On 18 February 2015 Mrs Jones was again assessed by the Consultant and the plan was to involve the Hospital Rapid Discharge Team (HRDT) as it was felt the patient could be discharged if her eating and drinking were adequate With our partner brighton and sussex medical school

and if her observations had returned to baseline. The records document her blood pressure at 150/90, heart rate at 95, afebrile and oxygen saturations on air at 98%. On 19 February it was noted that Mrs Jones' diarrhoea had settled and the catheter was to be removed_ The Hospital Rapid Discharge Team reviewed Mrs Jones. They noted that she needed help at home, her mobility being much decreased from basel and concluded that she was not ready for discharge on that day: noted that she may need in-patient rehabilitation. On 20 February 2015 Mrs Jones had loose stools and had vomited stool sample was sent for testing: The HRDT reviewed her and noted that the patient was still able to mobilise but that due to her diarrhoea and decreased mobility she would benefit extra support at home, i.e.= lunch time call and occupational therapy and physiotherapy input. Mrs Jones was referred to Community Short Term Services (CSTS) by way of faxed single assessment process (SAP) form: On 21 February at 06.30 the patient became short of breath and respirations increased to 28. She was placed on 02 therapy at 2 litres per minute She was reviewed by a Consultant and given 40 mg of oral furosemide and IV fluids were stopped. On 22 February Mrs Jones was again seen by a Consultant: She was still receiving oxygen therapy but had had no vomiting and was no longer overloaded. The plan was to wean her off oxygen and discharge her home when the HRDT was happy, but it was noted that she would now need to be transferred to a ward for physiotherapy and occupational therapy: On 23 February 2015 Mrs Jones' condition deteriorated and she was attended by the Medical Emergency Team and transferred to ITU. Having reviewed the medical records we consider that there is evidence that suitable care and treatment were provided and that discharge arrangements were planned and coordinated NEWS scores after 9:45 23 February 2015 The medical records note that on the of 23 February 2015 the NEWS scoring is complete up to and including at 09.45 when it was scored at 8 whilst Mrs Jones was sitting in a chair Mrs Jones was then transferred to the bed where her observations were repeated at 10:30. change in her level of consciousness was noted at V (responding to verbal stimulus) whereas previously it was noted as A (alert) at 09:45_ This triggered the medical emergency call (MET). There is no score from this point, however the nursing notes, written retrospectively at
12.30 on 23 February also document this period of time,i.e,10:30 and it is ine they They from day

recorded that the nurse was unable to determine Mrs Jones' heart rate and an ECG was recorded. The oxygen saturations remained reduced and a MET call was initiated: The general medical notes at 11:00 document the MET attendance on 23 February and there are 10 pages of completed general medical notes that record the treatment given on this plus an ICU chart and separate nursing notes: A Critical Care Outreach Nurse was with Mrs Jones continually from the MET call until 17:00. This involved stabilisation and transfer from AMU to the CT scan and then to the theatre recovery until a bed was available on the intensive care unit. Throughout this time Jones was on a cardiac monitor which continuously recorded her ECG (rhythm and heart rate) and blood pressure_ There is clear documentation in the medical notes and her observations continue to be recorded on an ICU chart from 14:00 on
23.02.15. In summary it would not be expected that NEWS scores would be calculated from the observations during a medical emergency response as the focus is on rapidly treating and managing the patient. The NEWS is an early warning system and it had fulfilled its function at the point a MET call was made. As with all cases we have carefully reflected on the issues in this situation and are open and committed to learning from such events_ In this particular case, the Trust believes that the medical notes contain appropriate detailed information on the care and treatment given within AMU and in relation to the NEWS scores. To that end we do not believe that remedial action is necessary on the part of the Trust in this respect_ Thank you once again for raising your concerns with uS.