Gleice Kelly Gomes, 24, was admitted to a private hospital in Rio de Janeiro to give birth, but had her left arm amputated
The administration of Hospital NotreDame Intermédica Jacarepaguá, where a woman had her hand and wrist amputated after being admitted to give birth, decided to expose the details of patient care. According to the health unit, complications after childbirth put the woman’s life at risk and the decision to remove part of her arm was due to an “irreversible worsening of the condition”. The Civil Police, the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Regional Council of Medicine of Rio de Janeiro have already opened their own investigations and should check for inconsistencies or responsibilities to be attributed in the episode.
“Due to the irreversible worsening of the condition with venous thrombosis of muscular and subcutaneous veins, there was a need to opt for the amputation of the limb for the sake of the patient’s life”, said the health unit in a note sent to the UOL. Yesterday, the health unit announced the removal of the regional medical leadership after the complaint gained notoriety in the press.
Cashier Gleice Kelly Gomes Silva, 24, was admitted to the hospital at 39 weeks, on October 9 to give birth to her third child, by normal delivery. After presenting complications due to a hemorrhage, she had to be transferred to the hospital unit in São Gonçalo (RJ).
In addition to the hemorrhagic condition, the access in the left arm, performed at the Hospital da Mulher de Jacarepaguá, worried Gleice and her family, due to the swelling and purplish coloration in her hand, as shown in images taken by her family members. It was only after her hand and forearm were purple, about 12 hours later, according to the patient’s family, that the staff decided to take an access in her right arm and then a deep access in the patient’s neck.
According to the health unit, “the left arm was immediately treated from the first signs of ischemia secondary to hemorrhagic shock, as stated in the medical report”.
Gleice was transferred at dawn on the 12th and, four days later, she was informed of the need for amputation. The victim and family have since questioned what happened, but have gotten no answers.
Check out, in full, what the hospital says happened:
- The patient had a history of multiple pregnancies, including some complications, which increases the risk of postpartum hemorrhage, in addition to gestational diabetes.
- The delivery was uneventful, with the baby born alive and well.
- The patient had a significant picture of postpartum hemorrhage, progressing to severe hemorrhagic shock secondary to uterine atony and uterine inversion. This condition is responsible for 60% of maternal deaths in the postpartum period: 45% of these deaths occur in the first 24 hours. Postpartum hemorrhage is responsible for 25% of all maternal deaths in the world, according to the medical literature.
- The immediate measures taken at the hospital ensured the maintenance of the patient’s life.
- The left arm was immediately treated after the first signs of ischemia secondary to hemorrhagic shock, as stated in the medical report.
- All measures and decisions taken prioritized saving the patient’s life until she had better conditions for transfer to a more complex hospital.
- The patient received assistance from all necessary physicians, specialists and resources in an attempt to preserve her left arm. However, due to the irreversible worsening of the condition with venous thrombosis of muscular and subcutaneous veins, there was a need to opt for amputation of the limb for the sake of the patient’s life.
Explanation will be verified in investigations
According to Gleice’s lawyer, Monalisa Gagno, she and the whole family are disgusted with the hospital’s explanation, which at some points was untrue:
Everything that was done is in the medical record and will be investigated. The truth will come out and a lot of what is there does not apply and does not justify what happened. There was no ICU at the time she needed it. If she had this condition, this history, they could never have admitted her there, to a hospital that couldn’t help her.
Monalisa Gagno, lawyer
CREMERJ (Regional Council of Medicine of Rio de Janeiro) opened an official inquiry to investigate Gleice’s case. The board will be able to check whether there has been any malpractice or medical error in the care of the patient and verify the accuracy of the information provided. “Right now, the Board is verifying the facts with the technicians responsible for the NotreDame Intermédica group. After the investigation is concluded, an ethical-professional process (PEP) may be initiated to judge what happened”, she explains.
Gleice’s case is being investigated by the 41st DP. On the morning of next Monday (23), the family must give a statement at the police station. In the afternoon, accompanied by a medical specialist, she will have a meeting with a professional from Intermédica, to explain what led to the amputation.
The case is also being monitored by the MPRJ (Public Ministry of Rio de Janeiro): “The 5th Public Prosecutor’s Office for Collective Guardianship of Health in the Capital informs that it has instituted a procedure to monitor the unfolding of the case and that it will adopt the appropriate measures. We will update the information as soon as we have news,” says the note.
UOL
