A tragic incident has unfolded as a “beautiful” mother-of-two, Kayleigh Colegate, aged 35, passed away just one day after receiving incorrect treatment at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd hospital in Bodelwyddan. Kayleigh, who hailed from Rhyl, was suffering from extreme breathlessness when she was rushed to the hospital after a visit to her GP. A nurse at her GP surgery noticed her alarming symptoms, indicating a potential pulmonary embolism. However, upon arrival at the hospital, doctors initially misdiagnosed her condition as supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) rather than sinus tachycardia related to pulmonary embolism, a critical condition requiring urgent care. Unfortunately, the misdiagnosis led to inappropriate treatment, ultimately resulting in Kayleigh’s tragic passing the next day.
The inquest revealed the error that occurred in interpreting an electrocardiogram (ECG) taken at her GP surgery, which led to the incorrect diagnosis and subsequent treatment. Dr. Tom O’Driscoll, a former clinical director at the hospital, acknowledged the misinterpretation and the impact of cognitive bias on the medical professionals involved. He highlighted the significance of learning from such cases to prevent similar errors in the future.
Despite the family’s advocate pushing for a narrative verdict of neglect, the assistant coroner ruled Kayleigh’s death as being due to a pulmonary embolism from deep vein thrombosis, contributed to by neglect. Widower Ian Colegate expressed his hope that the hospital learns from this tragedy to prevent other families from enduring similar pain. Kayleigh’s loved ones remember her as a kind, humorous soul whose absence leaves an irreplaceable void in their lives.
This heartbreaking incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of accurate diagnosis and timely intervention in healthcare settings, highlighting the need for continuous learning and improvement to prevent such devastating outcomes in the future.