Medical Negligence

Vestibulotoxicity with Gentamicin The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, formerly the Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, admitted a breach of duty of care in this case as other less toxic antibiotics could have been used. “As a result of the negligence, this man experienced vestibulotoxicity, which caused severe symptoms of dizziness and imbalance, significantly decreasing his quality of life and his independence. We were able to take instructions from his wife and the settlement made to his estate reflects the effects the Gentamicin poisoning had on his final years,” he added.

However, in this case, it was not properly monitored, and the side effects the patient clearly suffered were not picked up quickly enough. “The antibiotic should be prescribed with the utmost care taking into account factors such as the patient’s age, height, weight and kidney function. As with all medical interventions, informed consent to treatment with Gentamicin should always be obtained.

This should include advice on the risks and benefits of Gentamicin and also on the alternative treatments, which was clearly not the case with our client’s husband. Negligence in Gentamicin Case In this case, the man in question was initially admitted to Fairfield Hospital with abdominal pain and a fever.

When biliary sepsis was diagnosed, he was given Gentamicin, Amoxicillin and Metronidazole before being transferred to the North Manchester Hospital. Here the patient was diagnosed with mitral valve endocarditis, a bacterial infection which inflames the lining of the heart valves and chambers. When administered the antibiotic, our client’s husband experienced typical Gentamicin side effects almost immediately and continued to do so.

His symptoms continued for several weeks as an inpatient; his vision was blurred, and he had trouble walking. After being discharged from hospital, several months later he was still experiencing problems, and his previously independent lifestyle was radically changed as he was not able to safely drive, was unfit for work and needed support from social services.

“We have handled many cases of Gentamicin toxicity, and lessons should be learned from every case when hospitals breach their duty of care.