The incident has been reported according to the Lex Maria as a serious healthcare injury that could have been avoided, reports Ystads Allehanda.
The woman, who had a complicated medical history, sought emergency care last spring due to coughing and breathing problems. Treatment for respiratory infection was initiated and the woman was kept under regular supervision, but later the same evening she stopped breathing. Despite attempts at cardiopulmonary resuscitation, she passed away.
In hindsight, the hospital has determined that she should have been "transferred to a higher level of care". The staff who met her did not consult with experienced colleagues and made a misinterpretation of when different levels of care are applicable, according to the investigation. Afterwards, the routines have been clarified and the staff has received further training.
