The Special Committee Investigating Deaths Under Anaesthesia (SCIDUA) is an expert committee appointed by the Minister for Health under Section 20 of the NSW Health Administration Act 1982.
Established in 1960, the SCIDUA is the longest serving committee of its kind in the world, and has contributed to the impressive reduction in mortality attributable to anaesthesia in Australia.
Since its inception, SCIDUA has received notification of more than 10,000 deaths. In the overwhelming majority of these cases (approximately 95%), investigations reveal that the death was not in any way attributable to the anaesthesia.
The SCIDUA Committee
The Committee is known as the Special Committee Investigating Deaths Under Anaesthesia (SCIDUA) and is an expert committee appointed by the Minister for Health. Its Terms of Reference PDF ~12kb are to subject all deaths occurring while under, as a result of, or within 24 hours after the administration of anaesthesia to peer review so as to identify any areas of clinical management where alternative methods could have led to a more favourable result.
The Committee's documents are privileged from subpoena under Section 23 of the NSW Health Administration Act 1982 DOC ~34kb. Confidentiality of all communications between the reporting anaesthetist and the Committee is paramount
"In other words, they investigate deaths under anaesthesia, get the story from the anaethesist involved, BUT THEY ARE PRIVILEGED FROM SUBPOENA? WHY? Can anyone answer this question. I have one very strong possibility - to prevent LAWSUITS. "
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
NSW PUBLIC HOSPITALS WORST FIGURES FOR MEDICAL ERROR IN AUSTRALIA
NSW: Public Hospitals in NSW have the worst figures for medical error in the country
New Productivity Commission figures on ''sentinel events'' - severely harmful incidents that occur due to a failure of hospital systems - showed 59 cases in NSW, compared with 28 in Victoria, the next worst-performing state, and 147 nationwide.
Even accounting for NSW having the largest population and the largest number of hospital admissions, the figures still show the state performing worse than the rest of the country.
The data showed:
18 NSW procedures involving the wrong patient or body part (29 total, nationally);
19 NSW cases of medical instruments being left in patients after surgery (37 total, nationally);
medication errors in NSW killing 17 patients (29 total, nationally).
New Productivity Commission figures on ''sentinel events'' - severely harmful incidents that occur due to a failure of hospital systems - showed 59 cases in NSW, compared with 28 in Victoria, the next worst-performing state, and 147 nationwide.
Even accounting for NSW having the largest population and the largest number of hospital admissions, the figures still show the state performing worse than the rest of the country.
The data showed:
18 NSW procedures involving the wrong patient or body part (29 total, nationally);
19 NSW cases of medical instruments being left in patients after surgery (37 total, nationally);
medication errors in NSW killing 17 patients (29 total, nationally).
Palliative Care Patient Deaths
Coroner re-sends Tocumwal hospital deaths to DPP
By court reporter Jamelle Wells
The New South Wales coroner has made a number of recommendations after hearing more evidence about the deaths of two patients in Tocumwal Hospital on the New South Wales-Victorian border.
The inquest into the deaths of palliative care patients Ralf Grenfell in 2005 and Bob Cooling in 2007 was adjourned in March last year when Coroner Mary Jerram referred the matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The DPP decided at the time to take no action.
The inquest heard that before they died, Dr Balaji Rao gave both men the muscle relaxant Atracurium, which stops a patient from breathing.
The drug is normally only used as an anaesthetic in conjunction with breathing machines.
The coroner also heard that since 2007, the Greater Southern Area Health Service has changed its drug administration and security and increased its palliative care training.
After the inquest resumed in Sydney on Tuesday to consider additional evidence from hospital staff, the coroner again referred the matter to the DPP.
Ms Jerram also recommended the Department of Health:
Issue a health safety notice warning all medical practitioners and nursing personnel of the potential negative effects of neuro-muscular blocking agents and that those agents should not be used without appropriate ventilator support.
That the department take steps to promote services and advice available from clinical nurse consultants and clinical nurse specialists in palliative care and pain relief. Those steps should include the monitoring, on an annual basis, of the use of those services throughout the state in non-metropolitan hospitals which rely on general practitioners for the provision of medical services.
That the department undertake a review, in conjunction with the NSW Nurses Association and other industry participant groups, of the support processes for whistleblower staff.
That the department reviews its education and training programs for health professionals and support staff with a view to ensuring there is a significant emphasis and focus on:
their role as advocates for clients of the health system;
the role of each person when a complaint has been made.
ABC.net.au
By court reporter Jamelle Wells
The New South Wales coroner has made a number of recommendations after hearing more evidence about the deaths of two patients in Tocumwal Hospital on the New South Wales-Victorian border.
The inquest into the deaths of palliative care patients Ralf Grenfell in 2005 and Bob Cooling in 2007 was adjourned in March last year when Coroner Mary Jerram referred the matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The DPP decided at the time to take no action.
The inquest heard that before they died, Dr Balaji Rao gave both men the muscle relaxant Atracurium, which stops a patient from breathing.
The drug is normally only used as an anaesthetic in conjunction with breathing machines.
The coroner also heard that since 2007, the Greater Southern Area Health Service has changed its drug administration and security and increased its palliative care training.
After the inquest resumed in Sydney on Tuesday to consider additional evidence from hospital staff, the coroner again referred the matter to the DPP.
Ms Jerram also recommended the Department of Health:
Issue a health safety notice warning all medical practitioners and nursing personnel of the potential negative effects of neuro-muscular blocking agents and that those agents should not be used without appropriate ventilator support.
That the department take steps to promote services and advice available from clinical nurse consultants and clinical nurse specialists in palliative care and pain relief. Those steps should include the monitoring, on an annual basis, of the use of those services throughout the state in non-metropolitan hospitals which rely on general practitioners for the provision of medical services.
That the department undertake a review, in conjunction with the NSW Nurses Association and other industry participant groups, of the support processes for whistleblower staff.
That the department reviews its education and training programs for health professionals and support staff with a view to ensuring there is a significant emphasis and focus on:
their role as advocates for clients of the health system;
the role of each person when a complaint has been made.
ABC.net.au
Sunday, September 12, 2010
MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE IN AUSTRALIA WHAT EVERY PATIENT SHOULD KNOW
From the medneg.com.au website. Some interesting facts:-
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED?
Australia has the highest rate of medical error in the world according to the World Health Organisation :-
18,000 people may die every year in hospitals through preventable medical negligence in Australia
50,000 people suffer from permanent injury annually as a result of medical negligence in Australia.
80,000 Australian patients per year are hospitalised due to medication errors.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED?
Australia has the highest rate of medical error in the world according to the World Health Organisation :-
18,000 people may die every year in hospitals through preventable medical negligence in Australia
50,000 people suffer from permanent injury annually as a result of medical negligence in Australia.
80,000 Australian patients per year are hospitalised due to medication errors.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Medical Negligence in Australia
I ask you all to sign this petition to make medical professionals guilty of medical negligence to be made criminally responsible for acts of negligence performed in public hospitals in Australia.
The Australian Govt has conveniently prevented Doctors etc from being held criminally responsible for negligent acts in their course of duty, in order to prevent lawsuits left and right in this country. In my opinion this is unfair, in other words, a doctor can in effect maim, permanently injure or cause death because of negligent omissions or acts and they are not being made accountable or criminally charged for involuntary manslaughter.
To really put this into perspective for instance, with the current OH&S laws, if a site manager on a building site does not ensure safety practices or equipment are available onsite, and someone falls off ie: scaffolding and dies, they may be charged with involuntary manslaughter.
How is it that medical professionals are allowed to commit negligent acts and are protected by the slack laws in place in Australia today?
You have the power to change this, SIGN THIS PETITION
http://www.gopetition.com/petition/38895.html
The Australian Govt has conveniently prevented Doctors etc from being held criminally responsible for negligent acts in their course of duty, in order to prevent lawsuits left and right in this country. In my opinion this is unfair, in other words, a doctor can in effect maim, permanently injure or cause death because of negligent omissions or acts and they are not being made accountable or criminally charged for involuntary manslaughter.
To really put this into perspective for instance, with the current OH&S laws, if a site manager on a building site does not ensure safety practices or equipment are available onsite, and someone falls off ie: scaffolding and dies, they may be charged with involuntary manslaughter.
How is it that medical professionals are allowed to commit negligent acts and are protected by the slack laws in place in Australia today?
You have the power to change this, SIGN THIS PETITION
http://www.gopetition.com/petition/38895.html
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