A patient in Region Västerbotten had to amputate their arm after being affected by a severe infection, writes the region in a press release.
The patient sought care at a health center for arm pain. The person, with underlying disease and impaired immune system, was referred to the hospital due to suspicion of infection since the patient had a small wound on the wrist.
When the patient arrived at the hospital, the condition had deteriorated and tests showed a severe infection with a high risk of mortality. All infected tissue had to be surgically removed to save the patient's life, which meant that the arm had to be amputated.
The region has conducted its own investigation and filed a report to the Health and Social Care Inspectorate for an examination according to Lex Maria.
"The amputation could possibly have been avoided if waiting times and transport times had been shorter and if communication between units had functioned according to routine", writes the region.
