Avoidable DVT death of my husband.

Posted , 4 users are following.

He had an achilles tendon rupture. Full, heavy, groin to toes plaster of paris back slab cast applied for the first 11 days. No ultrasound, no anti clot meds, no information about DVT. No risk assessment, his death certificate was issued on his 60th birthday. He was an active, healthy man with no underying medical conditions. Two days before he died, a plaster technician, manually forced his foot into a walking position, he almost passed out with the pain. His foot had been in the equinus ( heel up, toes down ) position for over 5 weeks.An adjustable boot was never used. He died of a pulmonary thrombo embolism, caused by the DVT in his leg that had the cast on. During those first 11 days, he struggled to keep his balance, never mind mobilise with crutches. Not one inch of his leg was visible, only his toes. 3 days of immobility is enough to cause problems. He had the pain in his leg and the shortness of breath,, Please.... all out there, be warned.

3 likes, 33 replies

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  • Posted

    I am so very sorry to read this. As you say it was totally avoidable.  I had a DVT in February and was ignored, pushed from pillar to post and treated really quite badly while in A&E (I went there as I was unable to weightbare and mobilise) but once I was out of the "system" and seen in the anti-coagulation clinic I couldn't fault my treatment.  From what you say it seems your husband was only seen in A&E and outpatients who, I feel with the current state of our NHS, are overworked and, unfortunately, at times neglectful.  I hope, that in time, you will be able to follow this up with them and get answers; nothing will change the situation but talking to those concerned can help, as I found out following the recent death of my mother, which I felt could have been avoided.  Thank you for posting this, it couldn't have been easy, as more awareness into DVT's is needed.  Once again, my condolences.
    • Posted

      Thankyou so much for your reply, and I am so thankful that you were eventually sorted out.Yes it was A/E and outpatients. I have been fighting for 2yrs and 9months to prove what they did to my husband was wrong. The hospital concerned stated that his treatment was correct and acceptable, god help us all. I won`t give up. Take care.
    • Posted

      Thanks for your reply.  I wasn't sure exactly when this had happened and am so sorry it has taken you so long to try to get a satisfactory outcome.  I have been fighting with my local trust only since August last year regarding my Mum.  I eventually had a meeting at the hospital which resulted, pretty much, with the same comments you have had.  I then contacted the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman and had just had a reply saying they are going to formally investigate my complaint against the trust.   I wonder if this may be of help to you.  It's not going to change anything but I feel my Mum deserves justice and I'm sure you feel the same about your husband.  Don't give up and good luck.
    • Posted

      My thoughts are with you over the sad loss of your mum.
    • Posted

      I contacted PALS at the hospital, the day after my husband died, The outcome of which, months later, was " This unfortunate gentleman, did not present any symptoms of DVT. " and they thanked me for my " feedback ". Preventative measures,were never mentioned. I tried the Care Quality Commission, was told they don`t investigate. Then contacted The Health Ombudsman,after many months, the result of that was....they believed all that the hospital told them. ie.. He could mobilise with crutches..... he couldn`t. As to the forced repositioning of his foot, they told the Ombudsman that it was their policy to reposition over a number of weeks, for fear of re rupturing. They closed the case. Nobody is spoken to, the only communication between the two, is in the form of a letter. I have had a solicitor for the last 18 months. You will need so much strength, the stress level is horrendous.Don`t let them break you. x
    • Posted

      May I ask what happened to your mum ? If it`s too painful to talk about, I understand.
    • Posted

      That's OK, but wondering if I could contact you via email?  I don't want to take away from the reason you made this post.  I am happy to pass on my email address if OK with you?
    • Posted

      Can you access my email address from this site ?
    • Posted

      I don't think so.  I'll keep it brief.  Mum went to A&E after a fall, it was decided she'd go for some rehab, but until after she passed away and I had access to her medical notes, I didn't know that she was seriously ill. She should have remained a medical patient and not sent for rehab in a place that couldn't care for her medical needs.  My complaint is that incorrect information was passed from hospital to rehab and no-one told me just how ill she was, which consequently meant we didn't spend precious time with her as we were constantly told she would be going home.  She passed away very suddenly and it wasn't expected. I was fobbed off by doctors and consultants so was very pleased when the Ombudsman decided to formally investigate.
    • Posted

      Heartbreaking. The pain of losing someone you love, is made so much worse,by the knowledge, that the medical profession have not done their job properly. The grief and the stress is compounded ten fold, by the anger.

      Please keep in touch and let me know how things go.

      Emis Moderator comment: I have removed the email address as we do not publish these in the forums. If users wish to exchange contact details please use the Private Message service. I have also deleted the other post spelling out the email. It is not a good idea posting personal details like these in open forums

      http://patient.uservoice.com/knowledgebase/articles/398331-private-messages

    • Posted

      I am so sorry about your poor mum. Things need to change. I have sent another post to you which included my email address, but it has been intercepted by the website.
    • Posted

      I guess email addresses are not allowed.  Please let me know if you eventually get any help from the NHS.  As you say, things have to change. 

       

    • Posted

      Thank you. I'll let you know the final outcome after the Ombudsman's investigations.
    • Posted

      Your situation is different to mine. My husband had 3 outpatient appointments, and there are barely any records. I wish you all the luck in the world, and pray that justice will be done....... for both of us. Take care.

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