Medical errors: Overdose of Phenytion causing Cerebellar ataxia due to nursing negligence

Ankit Kumar Sahu; Sonika Rathoor

Volume : VII, Issue : VIII, August - 2017

Medical errors: Overdose of Phenytion causing Cerebellar ataxia due to nursing negligence

Ankit Kumar Sahu, Sonika Rathoor

Abstract :

Number of deaths due to medical errors world wide are comparable to those due to accidental causes or any particular specific health problem. This case report highlights the importance of nursing staff in causation of some of the medical errors leading to patient’s morbidity. An 18 year male, a known case of ostium secundum ASD and seizure disorder due to neurocysticercosis, admitted with an episode of GTCS was conservatively managed and given antiepileptics but later on developed acute cerebellar ataxia. This was later attributed to the accidental overdose of phenytoin taken by the patient in presence of nursing negligence