Bundaberg Hospital cleared over allegations of inappropriate sedation leading to death, harm

Bundaberg Hospital has been cleared of allegations that staff used sedatives inappropriately, leading to death or harm, but the investigation did make 39 recommendations including minimising of patient drug and physical restraint.

Generic Bundaberg Hospital

Bundaberg Hospital has been cleared of allegations that staff had used sedatives inappropriately that had lead to patient death or harm.

Queensland Health Director-General Shaun Drummond on Tuesday announced the outcome of the Clinical Review and the Health Service Investigation into Bundaberg Hospital.

But the investigation did make 39 recommendations including improvements in hospital culture and reporting and the minimising of patient drug and physical restraint.

Mr Drummond commissioned the Review and the Investigation following allegations staff were inappropriately administering sedatives, practices were leading to patient harm and deaths, and staff were fearful about raising concerns due to reprisal.

The independent Review looked into clinical practices at the hospital, while the Investigation scrutinised governance to deliver a detailed and comprehensive probe.

Queensland Health Director-General Shaun Drummond. Picture: Richard Walker

“I take very seriously any allegations about clinical malpractice, patient harm and the inability of staff to voice concerns, which is why I launched the independent Review and the Investigation,” Mr Drummond said.

“This was in addition to an internal review Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service commissioned that found no evidence of patient harm or death.

“The independent Review found no patient harm or death from the use of medications with a sedative effect, with side-effects consistent with the type and dosing of pharmacological agents used.

“It also found the prescription and administration of medicines with a sedative effect appeared to be clinically indicated according to existing policy.”

Mr Drummond said the investigation noted governance and administrative measures were adequate, but there was an opportunity to build upon them.

“The Investigation scrutinised Bundaberg Hospital’s clinical governance, management, administration and delivery of public health services and provided recommendations,” he said.

The 39 recommendations focused on enhancing processes and procedures on workplace culture and reporting; continued efforts to minimise the use of pharmacological and physical restraints; education and training; patient communication; and medication management, policy and monitoring.

“Wide Bay HHS has accepted all recommendations and provided an action plan to implement them,” Mr Drummond said.

“The HHS commenced addressing some recommendations prior to receiving the report, which is testament to its proactive commitment to continuous improvement.”