Overdose error led to death, says Seattle Children’s Hospital official
Published 10:34 pm Tuesday, September 28, 2010
SEATTLE — A top Seattle Children’s Hospital official said a nurse’s medication error has resulted in an infant’s death.
According to a letter CEO Dr. Tom Hansen sent last week to hospital staff, an unidentified intensive care nurse “administered ten times the intended dose of a medication, calcium chloride.” Hansen said the baby “was profoundly fragile and succumbed to complications from the overdose several days later.” The baby was not identified.
Hansen said the hospital reported the death to the state Department of Health and began a required review. While an investigation is under way, he said only pharmacists and anesthesiologists can draw up calcium chloride in non-emergency situations.
In response to an Associated Press request for additional details, hospital spokesperson Jenn Davis said Monday night the letter is “the only information we have to share at this time.”
The death was initially reported by KCPQ-TV and KOMO-TV.
