Question

A 63-year-old woman develops a large retroperitoneal haemorrhage after an elective angiography and requires intensive care and blood transfusion. Her husband asks why this happened. An internal review has just confirmed that the wrong catheter size was used. What is the most appropriate initial response?

Accepted Answer

Give a full, open explanation, apologise and outline immediate steps being taken to manage the harm

Answer

Wait until the legal department has reviewed the case before speaking to the family

Answer

Tell him that complications sometimes happen and avoid mentioning the error

Answer

Decline to discuss events until the coroner's inquest

Answer

Ask the nurses to update the husband instead

Practice question