A WOMAN’S death following a relatively simple medical procedure at a Galway clinic could have been averted if her gynaecologist had followed good practice, an expert witness has told a Medical Council hearing.
Dr John Bonnar, emeritus professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at Trinity College Dublin, said yesterday consultant gynaecologist Dr Andrea Hermann’s “care fell seriously short of what is expected from a consultant gynaecologist”.
He said the death of Saundra O’Connor (39) from Claregalway in Co Galway, could probably have been averted if Dr Hermann had sought the advice of another consultant and intervened earlier to treat the patient.
Ms O’Connor died in February 2008 three years after undergoing a laparoscopy procedure at the Galway Clinic, Doughiska, Galway, in late January 2005.
She developed an infection immediately following the medical procedure, which caused septic shock, multiorgan failure, cardiac arrest and severe brain damage.
Dr Bonnar told the tribunal there were “inadequate grounds” for carrying out the laparoscopy procedure and Dr Hermann should have carried out more tests prior to operating.
The fitness to practise hearing is examining seven complaints made against Dr Andrea Hermann involving patients who were under her care between 2005 and 2008 at the Galway Clinic.
Dr Bonnar also gave expert testimony in a second complaint against Dr Hermann involving another 39-year-old woman, who suffered from a Factor 11 deficiency, a rare bleeding disease.
He told the tribunal Dr Hermann was “absolutely crazy” to operate on the patient without undertaking preparation to cope with the Factor 11 deficiency.
The patient was admitted to hospital 12 days after undergoing an abdominal hysterectomy at the Galway Clinic with a pelvic infection and a haematoma.
Dr Bonnar questioned the type of medical procedure undertaken by Dr Hermann in this case.
The hearing continues today.