Two cancer patients at Burgos Hospital die due to human error
The professionals administered a dose six times higher than necessary to five patients, one of whom is in the ICU
BarcelonaHuman error has led to the deaths of two cancer patients at Burgos Hospital. The mistake occurred during the preparation of a treatment that was also administered to three other patients, one of whom is hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU), as confirmed by the hospital's manager, Carlos Cartón, at a press conference on Tuesday. "It wasn't done as it should have been," the manager lamented. Both the Castile and León Health Department and the hospital have taken responsibility for the error and have not identified any staff member as responsible. The incident took place during the Christmas holidays. Specifically, the error occurred during the preparation of the treatment administered to these patients, who received a dose six times higher than necessary. Cartón explained that a numerical error was detected in the drug preparation record in the hospital pharmacy, affecting five patients. This is a guide that indicates how to prepare the medication and it has already been corrected, so they assure that there is no risk of it happening again to other people receiving treatment at this hospital.
Protocol Review
Of the five affected patients, two died, one is in the ICU, a fourth is in a regular ward, and the fifth has already been discharged. The Burgos Hospital has indicated that as soon as they became aware of the situation, an internal investigation was launched to clarify the facts, and that operating protocols have been reviewed to prevent further risks and minimize the possibility of human error. The remaining medication preparation records have also been reviewed, and no other errors have been detected. The two deceased individuals were over 60 years old; one died a few hours after receiving the incorrect dose, and the other a few days later. Upon discovering the error, the hospital contacted the other three affected patients and administered treatment to minimize the excess toxicity they had received. They remain in contact with the families and patients and affirm that they have been "transparent with them in providing timely information and explanations," in addition to making the hospital's resources and legal services available to them.
