Gym Infections Causes, Treatment, and Prevention
'I Thought It Was The Right Thing To Do': Hospital Doctor's Tearful Claim After He Discharged Baby Boy In The Middle Of The Night Despite A High Temperature, Extreme Heartrate ...
A hospital doctor who discharged a poorly baby boy in the middle of the night, only for him to die two days later, fought back tears as he told an inquest: 'I thought it was the right thing to do.'
Olly Stopforth, aged 15 months, was sent home after an observation of his condition deemed him as suffering from nothing more than a viral infection.
The decision was made despite Olly having a high temperature of 40.7C, an extreme heart rate of 202 and a respiratory rate of 60, and a rash that a nurse feared was Scarlet Fever because it had the texture of sandpaper, the court heard.
The toddler had been brought by ambulance to the Countess of Chester hospital on Friday evening on March 20, 2020, accompanied by his father Karl Stopforth who claims doctors failed to carry out a thorough 'hands on' check of him.
Olly was sent home at 3am on March 21, but showed no improvement throughout the weekend, including Mothering Sunday, before being discovered dead in his room by his distraught mother Laura Stopforth at 12.15am on March 23, when she went in to check on him.
Dr Kieran McCarthy, who discharged a poorly Olly in the middle of the night, only for him to die two days later, fought back tears as he told an inquest yesterday: 'I thought it was the right thing to do.'
Olly was discharged despite a high temperature of 40.7C, an extreme heart rate of 202 and a respiratory rate of 60, and a rash that a nurse feared was Scarlet Fever because it had the texture of sandpaper
At home Olly showed no real sign of improvement throughout Saturday and Mothering Sunday
Dr Kieran McCarthy, who was responsible for discharging Olly, told the inquest: 'At the time the fear was that keeping people in hospital potentially longer than they needed to be was putting them at risk.
'We did not know at the time if he had Covid, or if other people had Covid. We did not know what the effect of Covid on children was at that time.
'At another time I probably would have kept him longer and not sent him home at 3am but at that time I thought it was the right thing to do.'
Asked by Senior Coroner Jacqueline Devonish if the procedure would have been different if it had not been for Covid, Dr McCarthy said: 'I would have assessed him differently and I think I would have kept him for a bit longer.'
The inquest, held before a jury in Warrington, Cheshire, heard Olly had been given two formal observations at 5.45pm and again at 11.30pm before being discharged, with nurses monitoring in between.
But Dr McCarthy said: 'I had not appreciated that he needed a more thorough review.
'Definitely, on reflection I should have done a more thorough assessment and I should have examined him. At the time I don't think I totally appreciated the length of time that had passed.'
Olly's parents Laura and Karl arrive at Warrington Corners Court in Cheshire for their son's inquest on Monday
The baby boy was taken by ambulance to the Countess of Chester hospital on the evening of Friday March 20, 2020 but his father Karl Stopforth claims doctors then failed to carry out a 'hands on' check on Olly
Paramedic Lynsey Field had radioed ahead with a red alert because of Olly's abnormally high readings for heart rate, warning doctors specifically that the child might have sepsis
Dr McCarthy, who said there were staffing issues with nurses at the time, said: 'In this case we deviated from our usual practice due to Covid.'
Paediatric staff nurse Danielle Burgogyne described Olly's rash as 'red and florid' at the time of his discharge and recalled asking Dr McCarthy 'Are you sure? Do you want to come and see him again? The rash is still quite red.'
She said she 'had not expected the rash to have completely disappeared - but it was very red and angry'.
But the nurse said she was reassured by Dr McCarthy that viral rashes could be as red and angry as it looked.
Ms Burgogyne admitted she had not accurately dealt with a fluid challenge, whereby Olly should have consumed 5ml of fluid every five minutes for one hour.
She said: 'I made a quick assumption. We were extremely busy. I had to prioritise what was most important at that time and for Olly it was to get his temperature down.'
The nurse offered her condolences to Olly's parents and said: 'I was and always will be devastated at the loss of your little boy and I hope today can bring you some answers.'
A third member of hospital staff giving evidence today, Dr Mary Montgomery, a paediatric intensivist, said carrying out blood tests and administering antibiotics could have made a difference to the tot.
She said additional care, treatment and assessment of Olly would have given a different outcome if antibiotics had been administered.
Dr Montgomery said: 'I wish people had said 'he looks like he is getting better but we are going to keep an eye on him.'
But the doctor admitted that if a sepsis screen tool had been used to assess Olly, it would have likely triggered blood tests and Olly would have been given antibiotics.
She added: 'Can I say that if he had been given antibiotics that would have stopped him from dying? - I can't say for sure.
'I really wish antibiotics had been given as it somehow would have made it less traumatic for everyone involved because then the question would not be there.'
Pathologist, Professor VAV Cartwright ruled Olly had died from Strep A infection – a bacteria which can cause sepsis - and said antibiotics would have saved Olly's life.
The inquest continues.
Itchy Rash After Stomach Virus: Is It Norovirus?
Norovirus doesn't usually cause a rash, though some people develop hives. A rash that accompanies stomach symptoms may suggest a different stomach virus or inflammatory bowel disease.
Norovirus is a common virus that usually affects your gastrointestinal (GI) system, causing vomiting and diarrhea. It passes quickly through your system in hours or days and doesn't usually cause a rash.
A few studies indicate norovirus can cause hives, but this is a rare symptom. But other digestive illnesses may cause a rash. Keep reading to learn more.
Rash is not a typical symptom of norovirus.
A few studies have linked hives with norovirus, but they note the condition is uncommon and that more research is needed.
A study from 2008 featured two cases of hives associated with norovirus in adults.
A more recent study shared a case study of a 2-year-old child who developed hives while having a norovirus. The hives were all over the child's body and were red and itchy. Along with hives, the child also had diarrhea and vomiting. Treatment with antihistamines caused the hives to disappear after a few hours.
Hives generally go away on their own or after taking an antihistamine. They often last for only a few hours. Hives that linger longer than a day may be due to a virus. Contact a doctor if your hives don't recede on their own.
Diarrhea and rashYou may experience a rash from diarrhea, a common norovirus symptom. You can soothe symptoms by keeping the area clean, applying a barrier cream like petroleum jelly or hydrocortisone cream on the rash, and avoiding sitting too long.
Rash from diarrhea may be more common in children who wear diapers. You may notice inflamed and tender skin in the diaper area if your child has diarrhea from norovirus.
To treat diaper rash:
Contact a doctor if your child has prolonged or excessive diarrhea, a fever, blood in their stool, or sores in the diaper area.
You can treat hives from norovirus by taking an over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine, which will relieve symptoms caused by an overactive immune system. Hives should go away after a few hours or days.
If you have hives, try not to scratch the affected skin. Take cool and lukewarm (not hot) baths and showers while you experience hives.
Contact a doctor if you have a prolonged rash or hives.
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions related to norovirus.
What is the incubation period for norovirus?Symptoms from norovirus can start within 12–48 hours of exposure. You may experience symptoms for 1–3 days.
Even if you don't have symptoms from norovirus exposure, you may still be able to pass it on to others.
Can a stomach virus cause a rash on my face?A rash on the face with a stomach virus may be fifth disease. This occurs commonly in children who are school-aged but can affect anyone. It most often occurs from late winter to early summer.
Symptoms of fifth disease include:
Symptoms in children and adults are generally mild. You should recover in a week or two. But if you're pregnant or have a weakened immune system, it's important to contact a doctor right away.
Can gastroenteritis cause a rash?Norovirus is one cause of gastroenteritis, but there are others. Most do not cause a rash.
Common symptoms of gastroenteritis include diarrhea, vomiting, and a mild fever. You may also have body aches and headaches. Dehydration can also occur if you cannot retain fluids for an extended period.
It's uncommon for norovirus to cause a rash. In rare cases, people may develop hives related to norovirus. This symptom should go away over time or with antihistamines.
You may also experience a rash from diarrhea, a common symptom of norovirus.
A rash along with GI symptoms may indicate you have a condition other than norovirus. Contact a doctor if you are concerned about a skin rash accompanied by norovirus symptoms.
Liberty Resident Tested Positive For Measles, Possible Exposures At KCI, North Kansas City Hospital
Prev NextSeth Wenig/AP
FILE- In this March 27, 2019, file photo, measles, mumps and rubella vaccines sit in a cooler at the Rockland County Health Department in Pomona, N.Y. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A Liberty, Missouri, resident tested positive for measles and may have exposed others to the viral disease at the Kansas City International Airport and at the North Kansas City Hospital, according to the Clay County Public Health Center.
The infected person was at the Kansas City International Airport on Thursday, Jan. 4. Clay County health officials said those in Terminal B, the general concourse or baggage claim from 6:15 p.M. To 9 p.M. On Jan. 4 may have been exposed.
Health officials are working to contact all passengers of the flight the infected person was on.
The infected person was also at North Kansas City Hospital on Jan. 5 and 6. Others may have been exposed to the viral disease if they were in the emergency department waiting area/patient processing/observation on Jan. 5 from 8:26 a.M. To 4:15 p.M.
Other potential exposures at the hospital include the 2nd Floor Admission Unit from 2:15 p.M. To 8:30 p.M. On Jan. 5 and on the 8th Floor Pavilion Medical & Surgical Patient Unit from 6:30 p.M. On Jan. 5 to 8:30 p.M. On Jan. 6.
Those who are not vaccinated with the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine and infants under the age of 1 are at the highest risk of infection. Those who are vaccinated have low chances of contracting the viral disease.
According to the Clay County Public Health Center, "measles is a highly infectious respiratory disease caused by a virus," and is spread by breathing, coughing and sneezing. Measles is communicable during the first four days before to four days after the rash is visible.
If exposed, the Clay County Public Health Center says to watch for symptoms of measles — a rash, high fever, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes — until Jan. 27.
The rash typically develops seven to 21 days after exposure, and consists of flat, red spots that begin on the face and hairline and spread to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet, according to the Clay County Public Health Center.
If you are experiencing symptoms of measles, health officials say to stay at home unless seeking medical care. If you choose to visit a doctor, you should call ahead to let them know of the exposure so they can take proper precautions.
—If you have any information about a crime, you may contact your local police department directly. But if you want or need to remain anonymous, you should contact the Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers Tips Hotline by calling 816-474-TIPS (8477), submitting the tip online or through the free mobile app at P3Tips.Com. Depending on your tip, Crime Stoppers could offer you a cash reward.
Annual homicide details and data for the Kansas City area are available through the KSHB 41 News Homicide Tracker, which was launched in 2015. Read the KSHB 41 News Mug Shot Policy.
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