I wonder what illness the kid had?

Eric Frei · 19th September 2010, 07:41 AM

Terrible situation.

Schoolboy Andrew Allan dies after hospital sent him home | Herald Sun

Quote:

A HOSPITAL sent a desperately ill schoolboy home with junior Panadol and a pamphlet on gastroenteritis, saying he would be fine - just hours before he died.

Now the grieving parents of Andrew Allan are demanding to know why their son was not considered sick enough to be checked by a doctor at Northam Hospital, near Perth.

Instead he was seen by a nurse.

Kylie Allan, 42, and her husband, James, 46, said their son would be alive if he had received appropriate medical attention.

"They are supposed to know what they are doing," Mrs Allan told The Sunday Times. "We want answers - how could this happen?"

Mrs Allan said Andrew could barely walk when she took him to hospital on Thursday and that he was sweating and vomiting with a high fever.

"After I said that I was really, really, worried about his temperature (the nurse) took his temperature and said that it was over 40C,'' Mrs Allan said.

"But (the nurse) said that Andrew just had gastro and gave us a pamphlet on gastro and told us to go home and that he would be okay.

"We were at the hospital for less than 10 minutes.

"We walked in, saw someone straight away, and he was given some kids' Panadol and two hydrolite sticks, and that was it. We didn't get to see a doctor or the emergency room. We were seen in the hallway where you talk to someone through the glass windows. The triage is as far as we got.

"I am berating myself thinking maybe if I had gone to another hospital . . . maybe if I had taken a second opinion.''

After leaving the hospital, Mrs Allan drove Andrew to the family home between Meckering and York about 30 minutes away after picking up 14-year-old daughter Emily from work in Northam.

She said Andrew took a shower and went straight to bed at about 9.30pm.

"I said to Andrew, 'They say you're not sick, you're just mildly sick, you'll get better.'"

At 7am next morning she found her son dead in his bed.

Mrs Allan's youngest child Sean, 12, came into her bedroom and said: "Andrew must be feeling better, he's quiet.''

"As soon as Sean said that I raced into the bedroom that the boys share,'' she said.

"Andrew was completely cold and stiff. He must have died virtually straight away.

"It was horrendous, especially when my 12-year-old son followed me into the bedroom,'' Mrs Allan sobbed.

The Year 11 student was too sick to attend Northam High School last week suffering flu-like symptoms.

Long distance truck driver Mr Allan said he was stunned that the decision of one person could have such catastrophic consequences.

"You don't expect to take your boy home from hospital after being told he will be fine to find him dead the next morning,'' he said.

"It's just horrific.''

He said he would welcome a coronial inquest into his son's death.

A Health Department spokeswoman last night said a doctor had been on call, but not on site.

WA Country Health Service Acting-Chief Executive Officer, Wayne Salvage offered his condolences to the family last night and promised a thorough investigation.

"On behalf of the WA Country Health Service I extend my deepest sympathy to the Allan family at the tragic loss of their son Andrew,'' he said in a statement.

"I wish to reassure them that a full and thorough review will be carried out into the circumstances surrounding their son's treatment at Northam Hospital.''

Northam Hospital has been blighted by a doctor shortage in the past.

Australian Medical Association state president David Mountain said it was not unreasonable to expect to see a doctor for diagnosis.

"In general, if you present to a hospital emergency department anywhere, you should have the expectation that you can see a doctor to make a decision about whether you should come in or go home,'' he said.

He said decisions on anyone with potentially serious illnesses should be made by a doctor.

"That should never be the workload of a nurse,'' he said.

The cause of Andrew's death is yet to be determined.

jmcg.insight.gardens · 20th September 2010, 09:49 PM

That's just terrible news, my daughter was in hospital last week with a similar high fever, over 40degrees is a life threatening condition, the body can dehydrate to the point of collapse. They tested her blood and said it was due to an unknown virus.

The hospital where I took her, treated as it was, a high grade fever, she was so dehydrated that they gave her two bags of saline solution, something going around I guess. Her heart and breathing rate was really escalated, lucky I picked up on it when I got home and took her straight in. Most people don't realise that a high enough fever in itself can kill.

The problem these days is that you have to be so careful of meningiccoccal, a high temperature is not to be taken lightly. It starts with flu-like symptoms, then they crash. Within hours.

The hospital where she was treated were brilliant. They admitted her to casualty straight away, we didn't even sit down, so many people waiting. The nurses and doctor were excellant. She's on the mend now.

I feel so much for those parent's, how terribly sad, I couldn't imagine losing my daughter, she might be taller than me now, but she's precious. My heartfelt condolences to them.

Julie

Done it · 26th September 2010, 06:23 PM

Looks like it was swine flu.

[His father, James Allan, says he received a phone call from the WA coroner's office this week.

An initial report found Andrew Allan was suffering from swine flu and a bacterial infection when he died.]

Teen's death linked to swine flu - Yahoo!7

Eric Frei · 26th September 2010, 09:28 PM

Jeez, didn't think it would take some-one out just like that, young bloke too.

jmcg.insight.gardens · 27th September 2010, 09:52 AM

That swine flu is nasty.

My daughter had it last year, her whole face swelled up, never seen anything like it, she was a very sick teenager for about a week. When my kid had it you could smell the flu when you walked back inside after being outside. We were in lock down, not allowed out, I didn't have it, but I had to stay home seven days, wear a mask near her.

Well, looks like swine flu is back, everyone needs to take it seriously.

I hope everyone has had their swine flu vaccine.

Again my deepest heartfelt sympathy for the family.

Julie

20th September 2010, 09:49 PM	#2
jmcg.insight.gardens Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Mannering Park, Australia Posts: 623	Re: I wonder what illness the kid had? That's just terrible news, my daughter was in hospital last week with a similar high fever, over 40degrees is a life threatening condition, the body can dehydrate to the point of collapse. They tested her blood and said it was due to an unknown virus. The hospital where I took her, treated as it was, a high grade fever, she was so dehydrated that they gave her two bags of saline solution, something going around I guess. Her heart and breathing rate was really escalated, lucky I picked up on it when I got home and took her straight in. Most people don't realise that a high enough fever in itself can kill. The problem these days is that you have to be so careful of meningiccoccal, a high temperature is not to be taken lightly. It starts with flu-like symptoms, then they crash. Within hours. The hospital where she was treated were brilliant. They admitted her to casualty straight away, we didn't even sit down, so many people waiting. The nurses and doctor were excellant. She's on the mend now. I feel so much for those parent's, how terribly sad, I couldn't imagine losing my daughter, she might be taller than me now, but she's precious. My heartfelt condolences to them. Julie Last edited by jmcg.insight.gardens; 20th September 2010 at 09:52 PM. Reason: spelling

26th September 2010, 06:23 PM	#3
Done it Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Australia. Posts: 780	Re: I wonder what illness the kid had? Looks like it was swine flu. [His father, James Allan, says he received a phone call from the WA coroner's office this week. An initial report found Andrew Allan was suffering from swine flu and a bacterial infection when he died.] Teen's death linked to swine flu - Yahoo!7

26th September 2010, 09:28 PM	#4
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,993	Re: I wonder what illness the kid had? Jeez, didn't think it would take some-one out just like that, young bloke too. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

27th September 2010, 09:52 AM	#5
jmcg.insight.gardens Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Mannering Park, Australia Posts: 623	Re: I wonder what illness the kid had? That swine flu is nasty. My daughter had it last year, her whole face swelled up, never seen anything like it, she was a very sick teenager for about a week. When my kid had it you could smell the flu when you walked back inside after being outside. We were in lock down, not allowed out, I didn't have it, but I had to stay home seven days, wear a mask near her. Well, looks like swine flu is back, everyone needs to take it seriously. I hope everyone has had their swine flu vaccine. Again my deepest heartfelt sympathy for the family. Julie

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