Decision Report 201901296

Summary

C underwent a polypectomy (a procedure used to remove polyps from the inside of the colon). C said that they informed staff prior to the procedure that they had a platelet disorder (platelets are the cells responsible for making blood clot. A platelet disorders mean that injured blood vessels bleed more than usual and heal more slowly), however, no precautions were taken prior to the polypectomy being carried out. C later experienced bleeding. C complained that the board unreasonably managed their care in relation to their history of a platelet disorder and failed to reasonably manage their care after they were admitted with bleeding.

We took independent medical advice. We found that clinicians undertook a pre-assessment with C. While C had a history of experiencing bleeding as a child, a more recent operation had not resulted in significant bleeding. We found that it was reasonable that no further tests were carried out prior to the procedure being undertaken, as there was full blood count and clotting information available to clinicians which would have highlighted any long standing problem with the number of platelets if there were any. We did not uphold this aspect of the complaint.

We found the board's management of C in the acute situation was adequate and carried out in a reasonable timescale. There was no indication a specific platelet or clotting factor transfusion was required. We did not uphold this aspect of C's complaint.