12/04/2013

Expert Witness Highlights Key Failings In Savita Halappanavar's Care

At the ongoing inquest into the death of Savita Halappanavar, an expert witness has identified shortcomings in her treatment while at Galway University Hospital as her condition deteriorated.

Dr Susan Knowles, a consultant microbiologist, told the inquest that there was poor documentation of the patient's worsening condition, saying that most medical notes from a crucial period of the onset of sepsis were made retrospectively.

It is understood that some notes were made shortly after the events of the afternoon of Wednesday 24 October, but others were added on 7, 8 and 12 November.

Dr Knowles said a white cell count reading from blood test results should have been checked to alert staff that she had more severe sepsis than initially thought.

Dr Knowles highlighted a number of key points in Mrs Halappanavar care where correct procedure wasn’t followed and accurate notes were not kept.

The inquest continues.

(H/CD)


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18 January 2013
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Coroner Dr Ciaran McLoughlin will today lead the inquest into the death of Savita Halappanavar, who died at Galway University Hospital on October 28 last year. Mrs Halappanavar was 17 weeks pregnant and having a miscarriage when she attended the hospital on October 21.
18 April 2013
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The inquest into the death of Savita Halappanavar has heard details from her post-mortem, as the last witnesses gave their evidence. The cause of Mrs Halappanavar's death was recorded as septic shock, E coli in her bloodstream and a miscarriage at 17 weeks, pathologist Professor Grace Callagy told the inquest.
17 April 2013
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A termination of Savita Halappanavar's pregnancy “was warranted by law” on the morning of Wednesday 24 October, an expert witness has told the inquest into her death.
09 April 2013
Midwives' Called To Give Evidence At Halappanavar Inquest
A midwife and student midwife, who have both given statements to the inquest into the death of Savita Halappanavar, have been called to given evidence, in the interest of “completeness”. The coroner made the call following evidence that was heard about Mrs Halappanavar’s first day in hospital.
19 April 2013
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