Care and observation of patient following unsuccessful blood tests - 21HDC00893

In a decision released today, deputy health and disability commissioner Deborah James has found a registered nurse breached the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights (the Code) for failing to care for a patient who was feeling unwell following a failed blood test and later ended up on the floor in his absence.

The events took place during the first part of an immigration medical assessment, in which the patient also saw a GP.

The RN attempted to take a blood test from the patient who subsequently reported feeling faint during this process, but no observations were taken, and she was not assisted to lie down. The RN then left the patient unattended while he sought another nurse to assist with the blood test.

Upon his return, the patient was lying on the floor. A successful blood test was taken once the patient was settled but she was not assessed fully for any unreported injury or given safety-netting instruction to report any signs of symptoms of injury.

The event also went undocumented and was not reported to the GP responsible for carrying out the second part of the assessment.