HairyChick

Two inquests: one bacterial meningitis, the other natural causes. How can it be “natural” when she was partially numb, slurring her speech and confused AF? Can nurses legally diagnose patients? Do they have levels of nursing like LPN and RN? I know doctors and nurses aren’t god and make errors, but this isn’t as simple as diagnosing a cold versus influenza.

Woman dies from meningitis after nurse said it was a panic attack

A young woman in England died from meningitis just days after being sent home from the hospital after a nurse told her she was just suffering a panic attack.

Sarah Cullen, 25, went to the hospital complaining of numbness, slurred words and confusion but was sent home by a nurse who diagnosed a panic attack.

The next morning Cullen was found collapsed by a friend on her bathroom floor and was rushed to the hospital where it was found that she had meningitis and had suffered a stroke.

She was put on a life support machine and remained unconscious for the next three days until her parents made the decision to switch her life support machine off.

Cullen died on Dec 1, 2014, but her mother Kathleen and stepfather Alan Davies have today decided to speak out for the first time about her death.

An inquest into Cullen’s death concluded that she died from acute bacterial meningitis, a rapidly developing inflammation of brain and spinal tissue.

Kathleen and Alan have decided to speak out now because legal proceedings have stalled and officials at Blackpool Victoria Hospital have failed to meet with them.

They believe their beloved daughter should never have left the hospital when she first visited it on Oct 28, 2014.

Two days before that she went to a walk-in doctor’s office because her finger was discolored. On that occasion, she was given medication and told to see her regular doctor.

Had her symptoms been taken more seriously on either occasion she would still be alive, the Davies family say.

Alan, 54, said: “We were at home (on October 28) and Sarah’s boyfriend rang and said he was concerned about her.”

“He said she was slurring words, really confused and she had numbness down the right side of her. I told him to call for an ambulance.”

“She went into the [emergency room] at Blackpool Victoria and they later sent her home in the evening, saying she had had a panic attack.”

“In the morning Sarah rang and said ‘I’m going to have a bath’ and that’s the last time we ever spoke to her.”

“Shortly after her friend phoned and said Sarah has collapsed on the bathroom floor.”
“She got put on a life support machine and never woke up.”
“It was and still is horrible. Our lives will never be the same again.”
“I wouldn’t wish it on anybody, having to turn your daughter’s life support off because they say all of her organs are failing.”

He added: “I don’t know why this nurse took it on herself to say Sarah had just had a panic attack. I can’t understand why.”

“Me and my wife believe if she had been kept in on her first admission she would still be alive.”

“She might have sustained some brain damage but she would still be alive.”
“We still want the hospital to get in touch with us and answer some questions.”

Cullen also suffered from a blood disorder and lupus — a condition causing inflammation to the joints, skin and other organs.

Cullen’s death triggered a serious “untoward incident investigation” at the hospital.
It concluded that “although there are lessons to be learned surrounding the patient’s care, it is unlikely a change in care plan would have an impact on the patient’s outcome.”

Senior nurse Jacqueline Baseley, who saw Cullen on the 28, told her inquest: “I discussed with both Sarah and her boyfriend that I felt it was more of a panic attack.”

“I am sorry Sarah eventually became unconscious and went on to pass away.”

“Hindsight is a wonderful thing and I have learned that should I ever see anyone presenting themselves in a similar situation I would refer to medics or pass it over the doctor working with me.”

The inquest, in August 2015, recorded a verdict of death by natural causes.

Meningitis symptoms can include severe muscle pain, drowsiness, confusion and vomiting.

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beerptrol

I would think that they would have a version of a Nurse Practitioner that could diagnose conditions


Like you said I've seen stories where doctors send patients home diagnosing them with something simple, when in reality it was something much worse. It always pays to get a second opinion

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OneHungLo

Pamwinter has a hairy back.

HairyChick

That’s my question really, why do nurses have a say in the final diagnosis. Obviously our laws differ from the UK but this is a maJor difference.

When first hospitalized, a doctor apparently said I was faking a coma, despite medical proof. Mom asked which five and dime he got his degree from!

Second opinions are necessary when you feel a doctor is wrong. They’re only human yet I hear that you should look it up online instead of seeing a doctor. Uhm, doctors often write the online crap. The internet isn’t a transcription of gods’ mind.

I’m emailing a friend in England to ask about the laws of medicine. I know each state has different medical laws but I’m curious about England. I don’t want to look it up online!

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Anti-Semites have Small Penis Syndrome. The only known treatment is electroshock therapy combined with cerebellum removal. Fortunately, it’s a tiny procedure.
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NatalieK

Nurses usually give the injections and do the checks, doctors diagnose...

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HairyChick

That’s the point. I was an LPN for five years and were taught not to diagnose. If asked is it this or that, or anything related to diagnostics, always say to wait for a doctor. If an obviously pregnant woman walks in with a foot sticking out of her hoohah (seriously) , yelling she’s in labor but didn’t know she was pregnant, don’t assume she is. Could be a huge tumor that pushes an intestine out. Your assumption and diagnosis could kill her.

Malpractice insurance is six figures a year and a simple misdiagnosis could cause loss of license. That’s why doctors consult with other doctors, to be sure.

Just because a nurse knows everything or thinks she does is no reason to trust her diagnosis.

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Anti-Semites have Small Penis Syndrome. The only known treatment is electroshock therapy combined with cerebellum removal. Fortunately, it’s a tiny procedure.
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