An 85-year-old man with known inoperable abdominal aortic aneurysm died from rupture of this aneurysm while hospitalized for acute exacerbation of COPD. A medication error occurred at admission when Dr T. inadvertently included medication lists from two other nursing home patients on the deceased's chart, including gabapentin which contributed to sedation. Although Dr T. recognised and ceased the extra medications by 29 September, this error did not cause death. The autopsy confirmed death from natural causes (ruptured AAA). Dr T. was commended as a meticulous practitioner early in his internship. The case highlights importance of careful medication verification at admission and systematic processes to prevent such errors.
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Specialties
general medicinerespiratory medicinecardiologypathology
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