Woman's paracetamol death in hospital could have been avoided

Elizabeth McCready died at Stobhill Hospital

The death of a woman who overdosed on paracetamol while in hospital could have been avoided if her possessions were checked before she was admitted, an inquiry has heard.

Elizabeth McCready may have brought the painkiller onto the ward at Stobhill Hospital in Glasgow on 21 June 2018 following a mixed-drug overdose.

She died nine days later on 30 June at the age of 49 as a result of “multi organ failure due to paracetamol intoxication”.

A fatal accident inquiry (FAI) found the lack of a search of her belongings when she was initially brought to the facility “may have contributed” to her death.

Ms McCready, a mother-of-three, had told medics “death was the only thing that could make things better” after being taken to hospital by taxi with a nurse escort.

She was also off the ward on 24 June, which was not documented in her notes.

Ms McCready was said to have slept for the majority of the day before her death and refused morning medication.

She was found unresponsive on 29 June, but there was a delay in reaching her due to a switchboard error.

Audit report

Ms McCready was said to be in a “confused and disorientated” state when she was placed in the intensive care unit and put on a form of life support.

She was pronounced dead the following evening.

The inquiry at Glasgow Sheriff Court heard that it was unclear how Ms McCready came into possession of paracetamol on the ward.

The hearing was told that a July 2022 audit found that all wards reported that patient belongings were always checked.

Staff also logged items that had been removed as a safety risk.

But Sheriff Diana McConnell said it was possible Ms McCready brought paracetamol onto the ward with her and a possessions check would have revealed that.

She said: “In my view, there was a realistic possibility that a proper possessions check adequately recorded would have been able to discover such medication in her possession, leading for it to be removed and stored securely.

"It is my finding that failure to carry out a possessions check was a precaution which could reasonably have been taken and had it been taken might realistically have resulted in Ms McCready's death being avoided."

Sheriff McConnell stated that due to the steps taken by the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board, no recommendations were made.