Cork University Hospital issues apology over failings that led to man’s death

Cork University Hospital has apologised for the failings which led to an air bubble forming and causing the death of a man who was recovering from heart surgery.

Father of three and grandfather of nine Cornelius O’Connor, of Farran, Co Cork, was in respiratory distress and fell unconscious within a space of minutes after an IV line was taken from his neck.

The family’s counsel, Doireann O’Mahony BL instructed by solicitor Seamus Hickey, told the High Court the 84-year-old man had major surgery and was doing well — and his family were anxiously waiting for his discharge from hospital — before things took “an unexpected turn for the worst”.

After dialysis, counsel said a central IV line was rapidly taken out of Mr O’Connor’s neck while he was sitting in an upright position, and he immediately turned blue.

Five days later, counsel said the family at a hospital meeting were advised that ventilation should be discontinued, as Mr O’Connor was in kidney failure, and he died on November 24, 2019.

'Never event'

Ms O’Mahony told the court the air bubble was a “never event”, which should not happen in any healthcare setting.

The apology from Cork University Hospital (CUH) was read to the court as Mr O’Connor’s three children settled a High Court action against the HSE over his death.

CUH stated: “We apologise unreservedly and sincerely for the failings which led to the occurrence of an air embolism which, in turn, caused your father’s death.

“We do not underestimate the devastating impact of the passing of your father has had on your family.”

The letter from interim hospital chief executive Deirdre O’Keeffe said CUH was “truly sorry for what has happened” and, on behalf of CUH and staff, she expressed “heartfelt sympathies and condolences to you on the death of your late father Cornelius”.

Mr O’Connor’s children — Marie Hickey, Michelle Forrest, and Con O’Connor, all from Co Cork — had sued the HSE over the death of their father. The terms of the settlement are confidential.

Counsel told the court the pensioner underwent surgery for an aortic aneurysm on September 22, 2019, at CUH.

He had dialysis on October 12, 2019, for kidney issues.

Active

Ms O’Mahony said Mr O’Connor was a very active man, who loved cycling and walking, and in the weeks before his surgery had climbed a mountain in Co Kerry.

Mr O’Connor, she said, was a very big part of the local community and is very much missed.

In the proceedings, it was claimed that but for the occurrence of the air bubble, Mr O’Connor would not have died but would have survived.

It was further claimed there was an alleged failure to take any steps to minimise the risk of air embolism, and Mr O’Connor had been placed at a substantial risk of air embolism which, in fact, occurred.

It was further claimed a preventable complication had been allowed to arise, which in turn led to Mr O’Connor’s untimely death.

Noting the settlement and approving the division of the €35,000 mental distress statutory payment, Mr Justice Paul Coffey conveyed his deepest sympathy to the family.