Rib Fractures Not Defected at Auckland Hospital

Grey River Argus, 24 May 1947, Page 5

Rib Fractures Not Defected at Auckland Hospital

AUCKLAND, May 22. Coroner A. Addison, concluding an inquest into the death of George McGiffie Reid, retired warehouseman, aged 84 of Stanley Bay, said:— There is a most unfortunate complication in this l case, as an elderly man was apparently allowed to go home from the Auckland Hospital when he had five broken ribs. But I am sure if the doctors l had known of the fractures they would never have sent him home. Reid had been knocked over by a motor-car in Takapuna on the night of March 19, and was taken to the casualty department of the Auckland Public Hospital for treatment. He was discharged next day. He died in a prvate hospital in Takapuna on March 22. Dr. Oswald John Connor stated he examined Reid at the casualty department on March 19. After his examination he thought it unlikely that any ribs were broken, although Reid complained of a pain in the chest. An X-ray film taken next morning showed only one rib broken, and because of the patient’s age it was decided not to strap his chest and Reid was allowed to go home that afternoon. Witness stated that the senior casualty officer had also confirmed his opinion that the patient should go home. To Mr Terry, who appeared for relatives of Reid, witness said the X-ray film was still wet when he saw it.

The fractures were very easily missed 04 a wet film. Ribs might be broken but not displaced. “It is a very bad case and a decidedly unfortunate business,” said the Coroner. “I he X-ray had not disclosed the fractures’ and the man was allowed to go home. I think that ’when the facts are known they will serve a good purpose and the hospital will take the necessary action.” There was also an unfortunate oversight or slip, as the relatives were not advised about the broken rib. There was no evidence to show that Reid’s being discharged was a contributory cause of death, and he thought, in the interests of all concerned the matter could be left for the investigation which would take place. A verdict that death was caused by acute pneumonia and heart failure following five fractures of the ribs was returned.