Drug overdose given to Dennis Quaid's twins was a 'preventable error'
A massive drug overdose given to actor Dennis Quaid's newborn twins was a 'preventable error,' according to staff at the hospital where the babies were last night being watched around the clock.
Twins Thomas Boone and Zoe Grace were given ONE THOUSAND TIMES the recommended dose of anti blood clotting drug during a routine procedure at the Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles.
Each baby was given the anti-coagulant Heparin at a dose of 10,000 units when the recommended dose is just 10 units.
A technician apparently stored the drug in the wrong place and when a nurse grabbed the medicine without looking it was the wrong dosage.
The drug is used to flush out IV lines and prevent blood clots. Thomas and Zoe reportedly started to show symptoms of the mistake late on Sunday night and were rushed into intensive care.
The twins were born to Quaid and wife Kimberly Buffington via a surrogate mother on November 8 this year.
In a statement Dr Michael L. Langberg, chief medical officer of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, said: "On November 18, three patients who were receiving intravenous medications as part of their treatment had their IV catheters flushed with a solution containing a higher concentration of heparin than normal protocol.
"As a result of a preventable error, the patients' IV catheters were flushed with heparin from vials containing a concentration of 10,000 units per milliliter instead of from vials containing a concentration of 10 units per milliliter."
When staff at the hospital realised their mistake they tested the children and quickly administered protamine sulfate, a drug that reverses the effects of heparin and helps restore blood clotting function to normal.
Dr Langberg said: "Additional medical tests and clinical evaluation conducted on the two patients indicated no adverse effects from the higher concentration of heparin or from the temporary abnormal clotting function.
"Doctors continue to monitor the patients."
"I want to extend my deepest apologies to the families who were affected by this situation, and we will continue to work with them on any concerns or questions they may have. This was a preventable error, involving a failure to follow our standard policies and procedures, and there is no excuse for that to occur at Cedars-Sinai. Although it appears at this point that there was no harm to any patient, we take this situation very seriously. We are conducting a comprehensive investigation, cooperating fully with the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services and will take all necessary steps to ensure that this never happens here again."
A representative for Quaid - who shot to fame in movies such as Great Balls of Fire, Enemy Mine and Innerspace - requested privacy for the family.
"Dennis and Kimberly appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers and hope they can maintain their privacy during this difficult time."
The actor married real estate agent Kimberly Buffington on July 2, 2004, and a surrogate mother gave birth to their twins on November 8 this year.
Son Thomas Boone was born first at six pounds and 12 ounces. Daughter Zoe Grace arrived two minutes later at five pounds and nine ounces.
Quaid has a 15-year-old son, Jack Henry, from his 10-year marriage to actress Meg Ryan.
Comments
My heart goes out to Dennis
My heart goes out to Dennis Quaid and his family. And to Kanye West and his family. These are two unfortunate examples of why it is so important to end the Cancer of private for profit health care delivery in America. HR 676 Single Payer Universal Health Care (Medicare For All) is The Way to go. Like all other developed countries did years ago. See sickocure.org
You see, It's not just about the 47 million Americans that have no insurance. Or the 89 million who went without insurance part of the time from 2006-2007. It's about everyone. Private for profit health care delivery is not only highly immoral, and unethical. It is just down right dangerous, and bad medicine. That injures, and kills millions of Americans needlessly. Disgracefully. Shamefully.
These injuries, and deaths should not have happened. We only heard about them because it happened to celebrities. But these tragedies are happening to thousands of Americans every day in this country. But you don't hear about it. These thousands of needless deaths, and injuries of your loved ones are covered up. Under so-called patient confidentiality. Which is just health care industry speak for "don't tell anybody we injured, or killed another one".
See, no one is immune from the Cancer of private for profit health care delivery. Mr. Quaid's children were being cared for at a very renowned hospital. And I am sure Mr. Quaid probably has excellent insurance. And can afford the finest medical care available. But as it turned out. None of that mattered. Hospitals have always been potentially very dangerous places. But under the pressures of greed, and a rush to profit. All US hospitals have become extremely dangerous, deadly places. Like they were in the 18th century. When hospitals were primarily the place you went to DIE!
I don't know exactly how this tragedy to Mr. Quaid's babies happened. But I imagine it was the same scenario that plays out thousands of times every day across America. Driven by greed, and the profit motive hospitals cut corners as much as they can get away with. This means staff that is over worked. And under staffed. It means hiring the least experienced, and cheapest hospital staff you can get. And pushing out the more experienced safer higher paid staff.
They say the pharmacist stocked the wrong meds. And that the hospitals were warned about this problem months ago. After many other perfectly healthy new born babies were killed by this mistake. I wonder how many thousands of perfectly healthy babies were killed this way across America. And how many thousands are still being killed this way across America.
It should not have mattered what concentration of heparin the pharmacist stocked the medicine cabinets with. Because every one who administers drugs is supposed to have been taught to follow the (7 R's).
a. Right drug,
b. Right patient,
c. Right dose,
d. Right time,
e. Right route,
f. Right reason,
g. Right documentation,
This is just basic practice. A experienced person will check additional things. Before giving a patient a potentially deadly drug.
In anticipation of coming changes in our health care system. Thousands of patients are being killed at a fevered pitch. And millions injured, and poisoned with unnecessary medications, medical procedures, and surgery's. In an orgy of greed, and profiteering a head of proposed changes to our current disgraceful health care system.
HR. 676 Single Payer Universal National Health Care For All (Medicare For All) can fix this disgrace. Until then, I advise you to be careful of taking any recommended medical care at this time without doing your home work. And getting a good independent 2nd, or 3rd opinion. Especially if you have so-called good insurance coverage.
And If you have to receive medical care in, or out of a hospital. Try to have a knowledgeable family member or friend to keep an eye on what they are doing to you.
Good Luck...
Post new comment