A doctor has acknowledged his part in the preventable death in hospital of a newborn girl, and has made a heart-felt apology.
"I wish now to apologise to [her parents]. I deeply regret that my error of judgment resulted in the death of their newborn daughter," the senior obstetrics registrar told an investigation two years after the girl's death.
"It is difficult for me to comprehend their trauma, grief and suffering that must have eventuated from this tragedy, and I am truly sorry for my part in its causation...
"I hope that in their thoughts they are able to accept my sincerest apologies for what happened."
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Advertise with NZME.The registrar's comments are in Health and Disability Commissioner Anthony Hill's report on the 2008 case, published this year. He said the doctor later wrote to the parents and apologised to them.
Mr Hill's report, which names none of the parties, found fault with the registrar and a hospital midwife. The midwife also apologised to the family and has ceased practising midwifery. Mr Hill did not refer either for consideration of disciplinary proceedings.
The baby, large for her gestational age, had become increasingly distressed during labour and suffered a progressive lack of oxygen. An early sign was that when the fluid from around the fetus was released, it was stained with meconium (fetal faeces).
Because of this, the cardiotocograph (CTG) monitoring of the fetal heart rate and the mother's contractions should, by the DHB's own policy, have been continuous, but for some time it wasn't. The ultrasound strap kept slipping off the mother's abdomen. An ACC report on the case noted the failure to attach a CTG electrode to the scalp of the fetus.
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Advertise with NZME.The girl's shoulders got stuck for some time during the vaginal delivery and, once born, she had to be resuscitated. Twenty-four minutes passed before she took her first breath. She was flown to a neonatal intensive care unit in a main centre but died soon after.
The midwife had repeatedly raised concerns during the labour, but the registrar remained unconcerned.
Mr Hill said the midwife should have contacted the on-call obstetric specialist. The CTG was abnormal and should have prompted actions including arranging an urgent caesarean.
The series
Five years of hospital death rates have been made public for the first time - in the Herald. We compare health boards, investigate where lives are being lost and the battle to save them.
This week
Monday - District health boards compared, is death rate linked to healthcare quality, and how a simple checklist helps surgeons to avoid mistakes.
Yesterday - Waitemata DHB boosts heart-care capacity. A bereaved father questions medical justice.
Today - Waikato DHB strives to understand its high death rate, medication safety, and a doctor's apology.
Tomorrow - Palliative care helps Auckland DHB's good performance. A widow fights for changes.
Friday - Obesity skews the statistics in South Auckland. Lives saved by reduction of blood infections.
Contact us
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