The family of a Galway woman, who died after being given a lethal injection of potassium chloride, told an inquest today that they were devastated by her death. They also said that they were deeply saddened by the insensitive way they felt they had been treated by the hospital authorities which up to today had made no apology to them.
Mrs. Veronica Connelly of Whitestrand Road died minutes after she was given an intravenous antibiotic injection, which had been accidentally diluted with strong potassium chloride by a member of the medical team.
Dr. Mark Grennell, a senior house officer who administered the injection, said that he was absolutely devastated when it was brought to his attention that he might have mixed the powered antibiotic Zenicef with potassium chloride instead of with sterile water. He said that had no idea the potassium chloride was on the antibiotics trolley in the theatre.
The jury returned a verdict that Mrs Connolly died as a result of a potassium overdose. It recommended that its use should, in future, be strictly controlled and that it should be designated as a controlled drug.
Mrs. Connolly's daughter, Mrs. Mary Gannon, said that the family had been completely devastated by their mother’s death. They were also saddened and disappointed by the insensitivity and the lack of communication by the hospital authorities who up to today had given the family no official explanation or apology.
The Health Board solicitor, Billy Glynn, read a statement from the Western Health board expressing its deep regret at the circumstances surrounding Mrs Connolly's death and extending its sympathy to the family. The inquest was told that, since Mrs. Connolly's death, several new procedures in relation to the use of potassium chloride had been introduced at the hospital.
