DEATH OF A BOY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21980, 26 March 1946, Page 2

DEATH OF A BOY

HOSPITAL PATIENT REPORT TO BOARD AUCKLAND INQUIRY (P.A.) AUCKLAND. March 26. The death of a boy. Rowland John Hill, aged 16. son of Mr. and Mrs. ,J. A. Hill. Titirangi road. Grey Lynn, was the subject of a report by the investigations » committee to the Auckland Hospital Board last night. The boy was admitted to hospital on February 18 last and died on February 23. The investigations arose from a complaint by the Mayor of New Lynn, Mr. S. W. Rickards, on behalf of the parents. Reporting to the investigations committee, the deputy medical superintendent of the hospital. Dr. J. S. Hudson, stated that the patient was sent in by Dr. Kent-Koplowitz, the diagnosis being pelvic peritonitis. On admission he was examined by Dr. D. G. Campbell and Dr. J. M. Tyler, surgical registrar attached to the ward. ‘Dr. Tyler, not concurring with Dr. Kent-Koplowitz’s diagnosis of pelvic peritonitis, took it upon himself (without reference to his senior. Mr. Fitzsimons), to diagnose the case as gastroenteritis and transferred Hill to Ward 22C,” continued the report. ‘Hill was in Ward 22C from February 18 to 21 when on examination by Dr. Tyler and in the light of the white blood count, the absence of a causative organism supporting gastroenteritis. and .the development of suggestive signs of pelvic peritonitis, he was transferred back to Ward 14 for ‘observation mid treatment.’ Original Diagnosis Confirmed

“Four days after admission the patient was operated upon by Dr. Tyler when the original diagnosis made by Dr. Kent-Koplowitz was confirmed.” The report added: “In such a case as this, when the diagnosis was questionable and a wrong diagnosis might easily result in the patient’s death, Dr. Tyler acted with poor surgical judgment jn not immediately referring the case to his superior, Mr. Fitzsimons.

"The investigations committee reported that it had decided that' no blame was attachable to Dr. Campbell and that it considered Dr. Tyler had committed an error of judgment in his handling of the case on admission in failing to consult with his senior. Mr. Fitzsjmons. in accordance with the instructions laid down. It recommended the board to reiterate its previous instructions that emergency treatment only was instituted pending a visit or instruction from the visiting surgeon.

“The committee also recommended that when there was any doubt concerning the diagnosis, or this in the opinion of the surgical registrar differed from the diagnosis or provisional diagnosis made by the practitioner sending in the case, the registrar must obtain the ruling of the senior visiting surgeon in charge of the case.”

The board adopted the recommendations and report and decided to send a letter of sympathy to the boy’s parents.