Galway hospital reassures patients after settling maternity case

University Hospital Galway has repeated previous reassurances over its treatment of maternal sepsis after it settled a case brought by a former patient over her treatment in the maternity unit.

In the case, which was settled yesterday, the woman, who is from Galway, had claimed the hospital failed to recognise she had sepsis after giving birth, leading to permanent injuries.

Earlier case
The case predates that of Savita Halappanavar, who died in Galway last October after medical staff failed to spot early signs of sepsis. She was 17 weeks pregnant at the time. The HSE's report into Ms Halappanavar's death is expected to be published tomorrow.

In the earlier case, the woman was admitted to the hospital shortly before Christmas 2009 after her membranes spontaneously ruptured. She gave birth and was discharged on Christmas Day but was readmitted the following day with abdominal pain.

Although her life was saved, the infection has caused her a number of health problems and has required her to have corrective procedures, she alleged in the case. No details of the settlement were disclosed and it is understood the settlement is subject to a confidentiality clause.

Asked about the case, a hospital spokesman pointed out that UHG has introduced significant changes in maternal care and the handling of sepsis, after the inquest into Ms Halappanavar’s death last April.

These include the implementation of an early warning scoring system for maternal cases and the education of all staff in the recognition, monitoring and management of sepsis and septic shock. A new multi-disciplinary, team- based training programme has been introduced for the management of obstetric emergencies, including sepsis.

The spokesman said the hospital had also improved its communications processes .