Latest news with #PICU
North Wales Chronicle
3 days ago
- Health
- North Wales Chronicle
Consultant should have referred teenager to intensive care, tribunal rules
Martha Mills, 13, had been an inpatient on the Rays of Sunshine Ward at King's College Hospital in London after she suffered a serious injury to her pancreas when she slipped while riding a bike on a family holiday in Wales in July 2021. Weeks later she experienced a fever, increased heart rate and had a catheter inserted into her vein, which was 'ultimately considered' to be a likely source of the infection that led to her death from sepsis, the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) hearing was told. More spikes in her temperature followed, before consultant hepatologist Professor Richard Thompson saw Martha on his morning ward round on Sunday August 29 at the hospital, one of three locations in the UK which specialise in the treatment of paediatric pancreatic injuries. The on-call consultant left the hospital at 3pm, but was phoned at home two hours later by a trainee doctor, who gave an update on Martha's condition. Medical records showed she had deteriorated over the course of the afternoon, and into the early evening, with a drop in her blood pressure, the appearance of a new rash and increases in heart rate, respiratory rate and body temperature. Tribunal chairman Robin Ince noted that by 5pm there were 'several high-risk indicators' as set out in the Nice guidelines relating to sepsis. He said: 'These changes collectively indicated a sudden and significant deterioration for no clearly identified reason…it was evident that by around 5pm the clinical condition of Martha justified escalation to PICU (paediatric intensive care unit) and this opportunity was not taken.' The duty registrar called Prof Thompson again at 8.30pm because of ongoing concerns over Martha's fever, but she was kept on the ward despite the continued presence of moderate to high-risk indicators and the absence of meaningful clinical improvement, said the tribunal. Mr Ince said: 'The tribunal notes that Professor Thompson expressed a preference to prearrange any PICU involvement, rather than having PICU clinicians arrive unexpectedly and cause distress to Martha's parents. 'While the tribunal understands the desire to manage the family anxiety sensitively, this did not, in its view, justify withholding or delaying a clinically indicated escalation of care.' He added: 'The tribunal therefore concluded that the GMC (General Medical Council) has proved its case that Professor Thompson failed to take more aggressive intervention from 12 noon onwards in that he did not escalate Martha to the PICU team for a direct clinical review.' The tribunal also ruled that Prof Thompson should have conducted a direct in-person review and assessment of Martha, including the developing rash, from 5pm, which would have been 'beneficial'. Mr Ince said: 'He would no doubt have discovered that no observations had been taken in respect of Martha from 2pm to at least 4.45pm. 'The tribunal notes that one of the advantages of escalating a patient to PICU would have been an increased level of monitoring. 'Although no explanation has been given to the tribunal for the failure to monitor Martha between 2pm and 4.45pm, this absence of monitoring on the ward would no doubt have been a significant factor in justifying such an escalation.' The tribunal cleared Prof Thompson of the GMC's allegations that he gave 'outdated, misleading' information on Martha's condition to a consultant colleague in the intensive care unit, and that he failed to mention her rash. Martha collapsed on August 30 and was moved to intensive care, before she was transferred to London's Great Ormond Street Hospital, where she died in the early hours of August 31. At a 2022 inquest into her death a coroner ruled Martha would most likely have survived if doctors had identified the warning signs and transferred her to intensive care earlier. Martha's mother, Merope Mills, an editor at The Guardian, said she and her husband, Paul Laity, raised concerns about Martha's deteriorating health a number of times but these were not acted on. The couple later successfully campaigned for Martha's Rule to give patients, families and carers the chance to easily request a second opinion from a senior doctor in the same hospital in the event of a suspected deterioration or serious concern. The MPTS hearing in Manchester continues as the tribunal considers whether Prof Thompson's fitness to practise is impaired.
South Wales Guardian
3 days ago
- Health
- South Wales Guardian
Consultant should have referred teenager to intensive care, tribunal rules
Martha Mills, 13, had been an inpatient on the Rays of Sunshine Ward at King's College Hospital in London after she suffered a serious injury to her pancreas when she slipped while riding a bike on a family holiday in Wales in July 2021. Weeks later she experienced a fever, increased heart rate and had a catheter inserted into her vein, which was 'ultimately considered' to be a likely source of the infection that led to her death from sepsis, the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) hearing was told. More spikes in her temperature followed, before consultant hepatologist Professor Richard Thompson saw Martha on his morning ward round on Sunday August 29 at the hospital, one of three locations in the UK which specialise in the treatment of paediatric pancreatic injuries. The on-call consultant left the hospital at 3pm, but was phoned at home two hours later by a trainee doctor, who gave an update on Martha's condition. Medical records showed she had deteriorated over the course of the afternoon, and into the early evening, with a drop in her blood pressure, the appearance of a new rash and increases in heart rate, respiratory rate and body temperature. Tribunal chairman Robin Ince noted that by 5pm there were 'several high-risk indicators' as set out in the Nice guidelines relating to sepsis. He said: 'These changes collectively indicated a sudden and significant deterioration for no clearly identified reason…it was evident that by around 5pm the clinical condition of Martha justified escalation to PICU (paediatric intensive care unit) and this opportunity was not taken.' The duty registrar called Prof Thompson again at 8.30pm because of ongoing concerns over Martha's fever, but she was kept on the ward despite the continued presence of moderate to high-risk indicators and the absence of meaningful clinical improvement, said the tribunal. Mr Ince said: 'The tribunal notes that Professor Thompson expressed a preference to prearrange any PICU involvement, rather than having PICU clinicians arrive unexpectedly and cause distress to Martha's parents. 'While the tribunal understands the desire to manage the family anxiety sensitively, this did not, in its view, justify withholding or delaying a clinically indicated escalation of care.' He added: 'The tribunal therefore concluded that the GMC (General Medical Council) has proved its case that Professor Thompson failed to take more aggressive intervention from 12 noon onwards in that he did not escalate Martha to the PICU team for a direct clinical review.' The tribunal also ruled that Prof Thompson should have conducted a direct in-person review and assessment of Martha, including the developing rash, from 5pm, which would have been 'beneficial'. Mr Ince said: 'He would no doubt have discovered that no observations had been taken in respect of Martha from 2pm to at least 4.45pm. 'The tribunal notes that one of the advantages of escalating a patient to PICU would have been an increased level of monitoring. 'Although no explanation has been given to the tribunal for the failure to monitor Martha between 2pm and 4.45pm, this absence of monitoring on the ward would no doubt have been a significant factor in justifying such an escalation.' The tribunal cleared Prof Thompson of the GMC's allegations that he gave 'outdated, misleading' information on Martha's condition to a consultant colleague in the intensive care unit, and that he failed to mention her rash. Martha collapsed on August 30 and was moved to intensive care, before she was transferred to London's Great Ormond Street Hospital, where she died in the early hours of August 31. At a 2022 inquest into her death a coroner ruled Martha would most likely have survived if doctors had identified the warning signs and transferred her to intensive care earlier. Martha's mother, Merope Mills, an editor at The Guardian, said she and her husband, Paul Laity, raised concerns about Martha's deteriorating health a number of times but these were not acted on. The couple later successfully campaigned for Martha's Rule to give patients, families and carers the chance to easily request a second opinion from a senior doctor in the same hospital in the event of a suspected deterioration or serious concern. The MPTS hearing in Manchester continues as the tribunal considers whether Prof Thompson's fitness to practise is impaired.
India Today
30-05-2025
- Health
- India Today
Fragile beginnings: Inside a premature baby's fight for survival
In a remarkable instance of medical precision, innovation, and care, Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre in Mumbai has successfully treated a 30-week-premature infant born with low birth weight and a life-threatening congenital condition called Tracheo-oesophageal Fistula (TEF). With a survival rate of less than 50% in such high-risk cases, this milestone achievement is a testament to coordinated paediatric care, cutting-edge neonatal surgery, and multidisciplinary RARE AND COMPLEX START TO LIFEThe baby, born prematurely in Vapi, Gujarat, weighed only 1.3 kg at birth and was diagnosed with Type C Tracheo-oesophageal Fistula—a condition where the food pipe (oesophagus) and windpipe (trachea) are abnormally connected. This causes choking, excessive salivation, and lung infections. The condition required urgent medical parents contacted Dr Fazal Nabi, Director of Paediatrics at Jaslok Hospital, who personally travelled to Vapi to oversee the safe transfer of the baby to Mumbai, ensuring continuous artificial ventilation and expert monitoring during CARE IN THE PAEDIATRIC ICU Upon arrival at Jaslok Hospital's Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), the infant was placed on ventilator support. Stabilisation included haemodynamic management, inotropes to support the heart and blood pressure, and aggressive infection control Fazal Nabi led the intensive care, preparing the fragile infant for critical surgery. "Every hour mattered. The risks were high, but early intervention was the only chance," he Day 3, the baby was stable enough for surgery. Dr. Nargish Barsivala, Consultant Paediatric Surgeon, performed a one-stage corrective procedure involving the ligation of the fistula and end-to-end oesophageal anastomosis.'Surgery on such a tiny patient is extremely high risk—the tissues are delicate, and precision is everything,' said Dr Barsivala. The operation was successful, but challenges continued POST-SURGICAL DIGESTIVE CHALLENGESDespite successful correction of the TEF, the infant's digestive tract, underdeveloped due to prematurity, posed further complications. The intestines weren't moving as expected, and the baby couldn't swallow adequately. Feeding was managed via a nasogastric (NG) tube alongside partial Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN).After a month, when swallowing issues persisted, the team decided to perform a Feeding Gastrostomy—a surgical insertion of a feeding tube into the stomach, allowing more effective and comfortable nutrition delivery.A DELICATE OESOPHAGEAL DILATATION PROCEDUREThe turning point came with an extremely delicate oesophageal dilatation to resolve narrowing in the oesophagus. Dr Pankaj Dhawan, Consultant Gastroenterologist, performed the high-risk procedure using the smallest dilator operation required seamless coordination between the surgical team, anaesthesia support, and the PICU. Gradually, the baby began swallowing independently, allowing for the removal of feeding Trupti, the infant's mother, shared, 'My baby was born after 8 years of marriage through IVF. To see him survive such odds feels like a miracle. I am forever grateful to the doctors at Jaslok for treating him like their own.'TEAMWORK, TECHNOLOGY, AND TENACITYadvertisementDr Milind Khadke, Chief Medical Officer at Jaslok Hospital, highlighted the broader significance of the case: 'This is more than just a successful surgery—it's an example of what's possible when medical expertise meets compassionate care and advanced technology. It marks a rare achievement in neonatal surgery in India.'EMPOWERING THE FAMILY FOR HOME CAREAs the baby, now weighing 1.8 kg and breastfeeding independently, prepares to go home, the Jaslok team is guiding the family on post-discharge care. This includes safe feeding techniques, medication protocols, and early warning signs to monitor for possible extraordinary case underscores the vital role of specialised neonatal surgery, early intervention, and coordinated hospital care in improving survival outcomes for premature infants with rare conditions. Thanks to the expertise at Jaslok Hospital, one more child is headed home healthy, and one family is whole Watch
The Sun
23-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Mum recounts son's near-death after choking on balloon
A joyous birthday celebration turned into a terrifying ordeal when a young Malaysian boy, Uwais, nearly lost his life after choking on a balloon at his own party on May 20. The incident, recounted in a heartfelt Facebook post by the boy's mother, Nurul Huda Zulkhairi, took place during a party attended by close friends and teachers. 'To celebrate our son's birthday, we invited all his best friends and teachers from kindergarten to primary school. ALSO READ: Boy who choked on gummy candy dies 'While my husband and I were busy entertaining guests, our son was running around, playing with his best friend. Just before the incident, he sat with me at the table and proudly said, 'Mama, taste this — I mixed two drinks together'.' 'I took a sip and said, 'Wow, that's actually really good!' After he finished drinking with his friend, they ran off again to continue playing,' she wrote. 'I went back to chatting with my old colleagues and had just sat down to eat some nasi kerabu — my first bite of the day because we had been so busy. 'Before it all happened, my sister-in-law Zahidah mentioned to my husband that Uwais looked like he was wheezing. Since Uwais used to suffer from asthma attacks, my husband said he would go grab the inhaler we had always kept ready. 'Then things took a terrifying turn. My brother-in-law Nabil came running while carrying our son, who was already turning blue. His heart had stopped,' she recounted. 'My husband and his friend tried different emergency procedures. They thought he might have choked on food. They attempted CPR and another technique (I can't remember the name), but nothing worked. 'Without wasting time, my husband shouted, 'Let's go to the hospital now!' He told his friend it was a 50-50 chance — our son's heart had stopped. His face had turned completely blue. 'My husband's friend, Dr. Rafiq, drove at lightning speed while guiding my husband on what to do. 'My husband was in shock, not knowing what to do — our son was limp, turning blue in his lap. But he kept doing CPR, hoping blood would continue flowing to the brain. As a last resort, he gave mouth-to-mouth to help him breathe. 'When we arrived at the hospital, the doctors and nurses worked urgently to save our son. As they prepared to intubate him, they found a balloon stuck in his airway. The doctor immediately pulled it out and resumed CPR — and Alhamdulillah, Allah returned our son's life to us,' her post read. 'Thank you to the Emergency Department team at Kulim Hospital for responding so quickly. And heartfelt thanks to the PICU team at Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital for their meticulous care for Uwais. 'Everything happened so fast. Turns out, Uwais had been joking around with his friend, putting the balloon in his mouth while running around — and he must have accidentally inhaled it and choked,' she revealed. 'I'm sharing this story as a reminder to all parents: something as small and seemingly harmless as a balloon can turn into a life-threatening danger if we're not careful. Never take it lightly — I nearly lost my child because of it. 'Please pray that Uwais stays strong and recovers fully. And thank you to everyone who has continuously offered prayers and support. 'Because of a single balloon, I almost lost my son. But because of love, prayers, and hope — I believe he'll smile again like before. Mama's waiting for you, my love,' the mother wrote.
The Sun
23-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
'Almost lost him': Mum recounts son's near-death after choking on balloon at birthday party
A joyous birthday celebration turned into a terrifying ordeal when a young Malaysian boy, Uwais, nearly lost his life after choking on a balloon at his own party on May 20. The incident, recounted in a heartfelt Facebook post by the boy's mother, Nurul Huda Zulkhairi, took place during a party attended by close friends and teachers. 'To celebrate our son's birthday, we invited all his best friends and teachers from kindergarten to primary school. ALSO READ: Boy who choked on gummy candy dies 'While my husband and I were busy entertaining guests, our son was running around, playing with his best friend. Just before the incident, he sat with me at the table and proudly said, 'Mama, taste this — I mixed two drinks together'.' 'I took a sip and said, 'Wow, that's actually really good!' After he finished drinking with his friend, they ran off again to continue playing,' she wrote. 'I went back to chatting with my old colleagues and had just sat down to eat some nasi kerabu — my first bite of the day because we had been so busy. 'Before it all happened, my sister-in-law Zahidah mentioned to my husband that Uwais looked like he was wheezing. Since Uwais used to suffer from asthma attacks, my husband said he would go grab the inhaler we had always kept ready. 'Then things took a terrifying turn. My brother-in-law Nabil came running while carrying our son, who was already turning blue. His heart had stopped,' she recounted. 'My husband and his friend tried different emergency procedures. They thought he might have choked on food. They attempted CPR and another technique (I can't remember the name), but nothing worked. 'Without wasting time, my husband shouted, 'Let's go to the hospital now!' He told his friend it was a 50-50 chance — our son's heart had stopped. His face had turned completely blue. 'My husband's friend, Dr. Rafiq, drove at lightning speed while guiding my husband on what to do. 'My husband was in shock, not knowing what to do — our son was limp, turning blue in his lap. But he kept doing CPR, hoping blood would continue flowing to the brain. As a last resort, he gave mouth-to-mouth to help him breathe. 'When we arrived at the hospital, the doctors and nurses worked urgently to save our son. As they prepared to intubate him, they found a balloon stuck in his airway. The doctor immediately pulled it out and resumed CPR — and Alhamdulillah, Allah returned our son's life to us,' her post read. 'Thank you to the Emergency Department team at Kulim Hospital for responding so quickly. And heartfelt thanks to the PICU team at Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital for their meticulous care for Uwais. 'Everything happened so fast. Turns out, Uwais had been joking around with his friend, putting the balloon in his mouth while running around — and he must have accidentally inhaled it and choked,' she revealed. 'I'm sharing this story as a reminder to all parents: something as small and seemingly harmless as a balloon can turn into a life-threatening danger if we're not careful. Never take it lightly — I nearly lost my child because of it. 'Please pray that Uwais stays strong and recovers fully. And thank you to everyone who has continuously offered prayers and support. 'Because of a single balloon, I almost lost my son. But because of love, prayers, and hope — I believe he'll smile again like before. Mama's waiting for you, my love,' the mother wrote.
