Background

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Clara is an 82-year-old lady who prior to her admission lived independently at home with her husband. Clara had a previous history of hypertension and osteoporosis and had had both knees replaced several years previously. She was otherwise fit and well with no history of falls or cognitive impairment.

 

Her husband highlighted on her admission that her mobility had decreased recent months, and she used a stick to support with walking. He also mentioned that she occasionally became a little disorientated at night.

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Clara had been admitted 12 days prior to the incident that occurred with a pneumonia as a medical outlier on a surgical ward. Following a course of intravenous antibiotics followed by oral antibiotics Clara’s discharge was planned for two days’ time, where she would be discharged back to her home with no requirement for ongoing community care.

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