Recommendations of damning investigation of Ipswich hospital miscarriage could roll statewide

Recommendations from a damning report into Ipswich Hospital’s care of young mother following a miscarriage, which revealed using mobile phone torch lights to examine patients was common practice, could be rolled out across the state. SEE THE FULL LIST

Ipswich Hospital. Picture: David Clark

Using mobile phone torch lights to examine patients became common practice among medicos at a Queensland hospital at the centre of a review into the care of a miscarrying mother.

A review of the care received by Nikkole Southwell at Ipswich Hospital revealed a discussion with emergency senior medical management “identified that there was a practice of medical officers using phone torches to examine patients” due to a lack of appropriate equipment.

Nine recommendations were made in the wake of the shocking case and the state government confirmed the recommendations would be sent to Clinical Excellence Queensland which would determine which recommendations would be implemented to other hospitals.

The report also revealed curtains, stained by the blood of another patient, used to shut Ms Southwell off from other sections of the emergency department were not changed fast enough — as per hospital guidelines which state curtains must be changed every 12 months or “at the time of loss of integrity”.

The findings followed Ms Southwell reporting several grievances to the hospital after her care, including her claim she was left wrapped in sheets and sitting in her own blood with her miscarried baby in a biohazard bag in the emergency department waiting room “for all to see”, and that her partner’s phone torch was used for an examination.

“I lost my baby and my dignity was taken,” she said.

Nikkole Southwell experienced shocking care from Ipswich hospital after her miscarriage. Fernvale Saturday June 3, 2023. Picture: David Clark

The report suggested the ED was not the appropriate place for Ms Southwell to have been taken, and several of the recommendations related to this finding.

“The ED is a very busy and dynamic clinical area which is not the optimum environment to care for women experiencing miscarriage,” the report stated.

“Following previous patient complaints relating to the management of miscarriageWest Moreton Heath (West Moreton Health) had established a multidisciplinary working part between the ED and EPS (Early Pregnancy Service) to review the pathway from ED triage through to the EPS service for patients who have experienced a miscarriage.

“It is disappointing to hear Ms Southwell’s account of waiting in the ED waiting room in a blood-soaked sheet with her products of conception in a biohazard bag. This must have been very distressing and does not represent the patient-centred care we strive to provide at WMH.”

Ms Southwell had also expressed her distress in being admitted to the maternity ward, in the presence of mothers and babies, following her time in the ED, which is common practice for patients having experienced pregnancy loss or stillbirth.

Nikkole Southwell alleges she received inadequate care at Ipswich Hospital throughout her missed miscarriage. Picture: Supplied/Nikkole Southwell

“At this time, it is standard practice for patients who present following miscarriage and requiring admission to be admitted to ward 5C (the maternity and gynaecology ward) as it is staffed by clinicians with the appropriate specialist knowledge and skills,” the report said.

The report recommended that West Moreton Health identify a location other than ward 5C to provide safe care for women who have suffered a pregnancy loss in an environment that prioritises their mental wellbeing.

Ms Southwell criticised the report, saying it did not address the hospital’s responsibility for her treatment, or lack thereof.

A list of recommendations to come from a review of the care of miscarrying mum Nikkole Southwell at Ipswich Hospital will be rolled out across the state. PICTURE: Supplied

“I’m very upset with the full report, to me it seems they are taking no responsibility for the overall care/treatment provided throughout.”

The Queensland Nurses and Midwife’s Union (QNMU) secretary, Kate Veach expressed her support for the recommendations and said that all women who have experienced a pregnancy loss deserve to be treated in a compassionate manner.

“The QNMU would like to see the implementation of best practice guidelines for women who miscarry in Queensland public hospitals,” Ms Veach said.

“Women across Queensland do deserve to be treated with compassion and dignity when they present to our hospitals.”