Wrong blood issued for sick patient by scientist
A BUNGLING hospital scientist endangered the health of a critically-ill child when he issued the wrong blood, a hearing was told.
Amjad El Sayed Omar, who speaks limited English, noticed that the "luggage tag" clearly identified another patient, but went ahead anyway, it was said.
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Colleagues at Stafford Hospital, pictured below, then phoned him to double-check but Omar gave clear assurances that all was well, the Health Professions Council (HPC) heard yesterday.
It took another two hours for the biomedical scientist to realise his error, by which time 25 per cent of the blood had been transfused.
Omar then discarded the rest of the blood, but failed to own up to the blunder. An investigation found Omar had been working for more than five months without being registered with the HPC.
Vicky Lord, for the HPC, said Omar was working in the haematology department at the time of the incident on March 18 last year.
When he arrived for the night shift he was briefed about two deliveries of blood expected that evening, one of which was "urgently needed" for a child.
Ms Lord said: "At 5.30pm, there was a delivery. Mr Omar called the children's ward and told staff the blood was ready. He was aware the blood wasn't labelled correctly, but went ahead with issuing it. He assumed it had been labelled incorrectly by the National Blood Service."
The blood was collected but staff on the ward telephoned him minutes later. Although Omar had marked the blood for the child, the additional "luggage tag" caused concern.
Ms Lord said: "Mr Omar explained that the blood was for the child and had been delivered as a result of an emergency request. He said it had been sent out with a previous name tag, but that patient didn't need the blood anymore."
More than two hours later Omar received a call from the National Blood Service to say the blood intended for the boy was on its way.
Omar telephoned the children's ward and told them to immediately stop the transfusion.
"Only 25 per cent of the blood had been used," said Ms Lord. "The following day he discarded the blood and went off duty and did not inform members of staff about the incident."
Mid Staffordshire General Hospital NHS Trust investigated the matter and interviewed Omar a fortnight later.
He admitted the blunder and apologised. Days later staff discovered his registration had lapsed and he was not registered with the HPC between December 2007 and June 2008. Ms Lord said Omar's difficulties with English had hampered his HPC application.
Edward Starrs, who investigated the case for the trust, acknowledged Omar's problems with language. But he said his difficulties should not have lead to problems with the "luggage tags attached to blood."
Omar's son is helping him follow the proceedings by translating. Omar admits failing to take adequate care when issuing blood; failing to report the incident; and failing to renew his registration as a biomedical scientist.
Omar, of Sidmouth Avenue, Stafford, has made no admission to a charge of impaired fitness to practise. If found guilty, he could be thrown out of the profession.
The hearing continues.
11 Comments
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by Pat, Madeley
Thursday, November 26 2009, 9:40PM
“Is this man an illegal immigrant? I wondered because he did not admit to the mistake, as if he didn't want to draw attention to himself. He obviously has no honour and put his own needs before that of a child. Not really the attitude we expect from our medical 'profession'.
What a slap dash way to run a hospital.”
by gaz, bradwell
Thursday, November 26 2009, 9:00PM
“I totally agree with all previous posts. this beggars belief. More so because it is a child in question. All air line pilots are required to speek english. All doctors and medical staff should have the same rule. Who was in charge of this man? They should answer as to why this was allowed to happen. Basic failures in management and record keeping are inexcusable where lives are concerned. I hope this poor child has suffered no ill from this.”
by Pat, Newcastle
Thursday, November 26 2009, 8:30PM
“What an absolute disgrace that someone can be allowed to do this. Despite the media attention the NHS has being getting lately (for all the wrong reasons) it seems that little or no attention is being paid in ensuring that rules and regulations are adhered to. Mr Omar should be prosecuted as well as the person(s) responsible for his role at the hospital.”
by Sam, Stone
Thursday, November 26 2009, 6:33PM
“After reading your article and the outcome of Mr Omars hearing on the HPC website I am left with a number of questions. A lot of emphasis has been placed on his lack of English ability, which from the comments on your website seems to send alarm bells ringing in the majority of people. However, this man is deemed to be a ¿Specialist¿, so he must have worked as a Biomedical Scientist for a number of years; surely during that period of time he would have had to re-register with the HPC. If he managed to do it in previous years then I am left wondering if his ¿poor English ability¿ is slightly exaggerated. Is he still employed within the trust and if so what steps have been implemented by them to ensure this kind of incident can never happen again.”
by Andi, Stoke
Thursday, November 26 2009, 4:12PM
“Why is this man not on an charge of breaching (besides others) health and safety law - "to take reasonable care for the health and safety of himself and of other persons who may be affected by his acts or omissions at work". This was one error too many with issues (ie:-language problems) that should have been spotted before he was even employed .”
by Libby, Newcastle
Thursday, November 26 2009, 12:54PM
“Damned disgrace. Limited english and he works in a profession where the smallest mistake can mean the difference between life and death??? The hospital should not have employed him - if he could not even complete the necessary registration because of his limited english thats a CLUE! Doh! Stupidity from start to finish.”
by Daniel, Stoke
Thursday, November 26 2009, 12:51PM
“The thing in which takes this from bad to appaling is the fact that Mr Omar tried to hide the error, and not informing any members of staff? Its not like a job where you undercharge a customer £10 and don't inform the supervisor-these are real lives!?”
by Me, Work
Thursday, November 26 2009, 11:56AM
“Thank goodness the little boy was ok. This 'specialist' should be kicked out of the NHS as soon as possible.”
by anonymous, s-o-t
Thursday, November 26 2009, 11:04AM
“hang on..if he IS found guilty he will be thrown out of his profession, he is bloody guilty and i wouldnt like to no that my life is left in his hands
he could of killed this child and still be able to keep his job
come on this man should not of been working for the nhs and shouldnt do in the future.”
by mrs moaner, burslem
Thursday, November 26 2009, 11:01AM
“absolutely disgraceful this man should not of even been working at this hospital,not only can he not speak proper english but he wasnt even registered with the hpc..oh my god do we even no who we are relying on to keep us alive these days”