Ryan’s Rule called eight times a day in Qld hospitals according to new data

At least eight people a day on average have invoked Ryan’s Rule in hospitals across the state to ask for a second medical opinion this year alone.

At least eight people a day on average have invoked Ryan’s Rule in hospitals across the state to ask for a second medical opinion this year alone.

New data obtained by The Courier-Mail has revealed Ryan’s Rule, introduced in 2013 following the tragic death of Emerald toddler Ryan Saunders of misdiagnosed Strep, has been invoked 766 times so far in 2024.

Ryan Saunders, 2 years, who died in Rockhampton Base Hospital.

The figures come as 20-month-old Zara Mulheran died on Wednesday after her mother Carly was forced to invoke Ryan’s Rule on March 25 after watching her turn blue and struggle to breathe at the Queensland Children’s Hospital.

An hour later Zara – who was suffering from the common and usually harmless hand, foot and mouth disease – was moved to ICU were she was put on life support, suffering two cardiac arrests.

“I wholeheartedly believe that if I hadn’t called Ryan’s Rule when I did, Zara would have died before she even made it to the ICU unit,” Ms Mulheran said.

“I want parents to know that this can happen to you, if you think something is wrong, make the call, only you will advocate for your child like you can.”

In 2023, Ryan’s Rule was invoked 2,355 times. In the same period, Queensland public hospitals reported 1,679,067 episodes of care.

The rule has been used 12,442 times in the state’s public hospital since 2013.

Zara Mulheran.

Pamphlets, signs and social media posts detailing Ryan’s Rule can be seen at major hospitals and on Queensland Health’s social media channels – detailing what steps to take and reiterating that using it is “a way to make sure that you get the right care at the right time”.

Health professionals are also encouraged by management to inform patients about the Rule when they believe their patients are not receiving adequate care.

A Queensland Health spokesman said hospitals across the state are still committed to providing the highest level of care to patients.

“We understand that a severe illness in a child in an immense challenge,” they said.

“If a patient’s health declines or fails to improve as anticipated, individuals have the right to raise their concerns through the established Ryan’s Rule process.

“Queensland Health’s Ryan’s Rule process is considered a gold standard for patient-led safety.”

Ryan’s Rule is a three step process to support patients of any age, their families and carers, to raise concerns if a patient’s health condition is getting worse or not improving as well as expected.

Zara Mulheran and her mother in hospital. Picture: Supplied

Ryan’s Rule applies to all patients admitted to any Queensland Health public hospital, including the emergency department and in some Hospital in the Home (HITH) services.

Patients and carers are advised to first, talk to a nurse or doctor about their concerns, second, talk to the nurse in charge of the shift, and third phone 13 HEALTH or ask a nurse to phone for you or ask a Ryan’s Rule Clinical Review.

“The three-step process provides a means for patients, families or carers to escalate concerns about a patient whose condition they believe is worsening or not improving as expected,” the spokesman said.

Originally published as Ryan’s Rule called eight times a day in Qld hospitals according to new data