WRONG DRUG.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 146, 22 June 1937, Page 8

WRONG DRUG.

GIVEN TO PATIENT.

ILL" EFFECTS SUFFERED.

A "VERY HONEST» WITNESS.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) NAPIEK, this day. The erroneous administration of a drug to a patient who had later suffered grave ill-effects was investigated at last evening's sittings of the Napier Hospital Royal Commission. The inquiry concerned an incident which occurred in 1934, and in respect of which the patient was paid a substantial sum by way of damages.

Mr. N. Foden (appearing for the Director-General of Health) said that the patient in question, Mr. S. J. Montgomery, had, subsequent to treatment, issued a writ against a number of doctors, and the compromise which had been effected had provided for the payment of £1000 as damages. Samuel James Montgomery described the administration of a drug in preparation for an X-ray examination. Witness said that during the injection pain developed between his eyes and he found himself unable to see. Mr. A. E. La wry (who appeared for Mr. Montgomery) said the doctor who had investigated the matter had found Mr. Montgomery had suffered a severe illness and had been in danger of his life. When Mr. Montgomery had completed his testimony, the chairman of the Commission, Mr. E. D. Mosley, expressed sympathy with him and the hope that he would recover his full strength and health. "Not All Care Taken."

Dr. P. P. Lynch, pathologist, described the drug and its uses and stated that at the time neo-hydriol was a new drug to a large number. He said the onus was on the person making the injection to see that the proper substance was used, and the result of the injection in question, he thought, showed that not all care had been taken.

Mr. La wry: Can you give Mr. Montgomery an assurance that lie-can get the effects of the drug out of his system ?— Yes, I think the worst is past. Sister R. V. tenet said she prepared the tray for the injection. The name of the drug which had been ordered was abrodil, but witness had put a bottle of neo-hydriol on the tray. She did so because she .thought it more correct, and she did not know at the time that nephydriol was not Tl3ed for intravenous injections. Evidence was also given by Dr. G. H. Maaka, who gave the injection. Witness asked Sister Genet how the bottle marked "neo-hydriol" came to be on the tray, and she gave him to understand that it was a substitute for abrodil. Witness discussed the matter with the radiologist, Dr. Sowerby, and Dr. Sowerby seemed certain that it was the right stuff to use. Witness added that he knew very little about neo-hydriol and that was the first time he had ever used it. Bottle Label Not Read. Dr. William Sowerby recalled the fact that he was asked by Dr. Maaka if abrodil and neo-hydriol were the same -substance. Witness "said; he did not know and that he had not heard of neohydriol. Dr., ifaaka later asked if 20 c.c. was enough, and witness said it was, thinking abrodil was meant. Later Dr. Maaka held out a bottle, but witness, unfortunately, did not read the label. Witness said _he had never previously heard of neo-hydriol. Mr. Foden: Should that not have put you on your guard?— Yes, I agree now it should. Mr. Foden: Oh, you're a very honest witness, doctor. j Mr. Mosley: Yes, you are. Witness described the subsequent progress of the injection, which Dr. Maaka was administering. While witness was preparing for the X-ray the patjent became upset and Dr. Maaka asked witness, "Is this- the right stuff?" Witness tjien looked at the label on the bottle and realised what had happened and the injection was stopped at once. Complaints About Food.

Recalled, Mr. Montgomery referred to complaints made by him about food at the hospital. He said that several, times he had mentioned grit in the sago puddings. "On later occasions I had for room mates a. lot of cockroaches," he said. "I caught some, as I thought that if I complained I would be told I was delirious. On another occasion I saw some bread literally covered .witli cockroaches, and looking like a beehive."

The inquiry into Mr. Montgomery's complaints was completed with the evidence by Dr. Foley on the Napier Hospital's system of storing drugs, and by Dr. J. Cairney, assistant medical superintendent of the Wellington Hospital, on the methods which should be used in hospital dispensaries and other departments.