Monday, January 28, 2008

My son was overdosed on morphine

I have taken a while to write back because I didn't want to go on presenting false information.
Deep breath.

My three year old was accidentally overdosed with morphine and no one caught it! The anesthesiologist has yet to own up to it, but we have word that he was given twice the recommended dose for his weight. He tried from the beginning to tell me that he was just sensitive to morphine, turns out they dosed him wrong. I knew it.

What we think happened was he was dosed for 29 kilos when he is only 29 pounds. Either way he was admittedly overdosed by accident. They are doing all that they can to really get to the bottom of it so that it doesn't have to ever happen again to another child. This was the first time it ever happened to anyone at this surgery center. I am working with the staff and administration to help them so policies can be changed.

That is what I want, I want new procedures on release. There was a lot of negligence there and I am not done. I am going to write everything down and present it before them. There were so many mistakes made with Judah's life. I am not sure if I can trust again. I also found out some very interesting things about Codeine and how Ethiopians can possibly metabolize it at a faster rate turning it into morphine quicker and in turn having morphine overdose from taking Codeine. For those adopting from Ethiopia I will post a note about that and add the links to my research.

I found out that on the way to the ambulance he stopped breathing a few times. He was just digressing so fast. They tried to intuit him but his airways were swollen. He was given the drug Narcan at the surgery center to stop the affects of the overdose. We were never told this information and while he sat up and ate a Popsicle they released him 45 minutes after the dose of Narcan. When the Narcan wore off in 30 minutes he went right back to his overdose state. At that point we were driving home expecting a sleeping child. I still cannot believe my son was OD by the doctors who were supposed to care for him. I contacted a lawyer just to see where I stood in this and they said unless he died there is nothing I can do. It just isn't right. I don't want money or anything like that I just want justice served for the severe negligence on my sons life, but it looks like the surgery center is doing all that I would expect. So unless they start giving me a hard time and trying to cover this up I will leave it and just wait. If they poo poo it or me I will go to every moms board, local newspapers, TV channels, and hand flyer's at Walmart not use this place until new policies are in place.

7 comments:

  1. Good for you Kim--I'm so glad you were able to get to the bottom of this. If you need to go to the extreme, let me know, I would be happy to help you flood the lists and forums! grrrr I can't believe the anesth. won't take responsibility!

    Thank God that you listened to your inner voice and your tenacity.

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  2. thanks Julia!! I bet we could get an army of chatty ladies and make a dent.
    If need be.:)

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  3. It sounds like you are doing a great job fighting for your son! What an awesome thing!!

    Keep it up!
    Debbie

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  4. Hi Kim,

    That is so scarey about your son! I am so sorry you had to go through that!

    I will say a prayer for all of you!

    RYC: (on my blog) If you remember what recipe you wanted let me know. Not that you are worrying about that right now but when you do just let me know.

    Hang in there!
    Blessings,
    Brenda

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  5. Hi Kim, the heart~wrenching thing is it could happen again if the hospital isn't held accountable. I know how much u love children and the thought of this happenig to another child upsets you. I wish I had some great advice for you. You have so much on your plate right now. I'm praying for you. I'm hosting playgroup for the group on Friday......call me if you can come. I'd love to see all of you!

    Love and prayers,
    Missy

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  6. I finally got on your blog. Kim, I am so sorry! If you need anything, please let me know!
    Amey

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  7. Wow, I cannot believe this happened to little Judah. I love the book How to Raise Healthy Children In Spite of your Doctor. Your post reminded me of this book.

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