A PROMINENT Cork mathematician died after he was discharged from hospital with an undetected intravenous tube inserted in his wrist, an inquest heard yesterday.
Dr George Vincent Kelly (83) Beech Lawn, Little Island in Cork was admitted to Cork University Hospital suffering pain in his ribs and back on September 23rd, 2009.
A former doctor of mathematics and physics at University College Cork, Dr Kelly had attributed his pain to an uncomfortable bed at a hotel he had stayed at in Berlin, 10 days previously.
He was discharged from hospital that afternoon but subsequently developed swelling and decreased range of movement in his right wrist.
One week passed before the cannula, a device used to administer fluids into the body, was discovered in his wrist, by his daughter, who removed it on October 31st.
The following day, Dr Kelly returned to the hospital.
The wound was thoroughly washed out to clear the infection in his wrist but the presence of the hospital bug MRSA was detected.
Dr Kelly initially responded well to treatment, but his condition deteriorated and he died five weeks after being discharged with the tube in his wrist.
Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster attributed his death to a series of health complications arising out of the MRSA infection in his wrist.
Members of the Kelly family said they did not hold any one individual responsible for the death of their father, but voiced concerns over the discharge process and wished to see guidelines in place to prevent a similar tragedy.
Dr Kelly was a popular character and an avid traveller who had plans to visit a number of countries, before his life was cut short, according to family members.
Acting clinical nurse manager at Cork University Hospital Ann Higgins said a number of procedures were to be implemented to prevent a recurrence of the event, including re-education of all nursing staff on the use of the cannula and the cessation of insertion of the tube as routine practice.
Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane returned a verdict of death by medical misadventure.