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PaediatricJul 6, 2021

Physiotherapist missed chance to diagnose baby's hip dysplasia at early stage despite 'red flags'

The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) has ruled that a physiotherapist took an ‘unreasonable’ decision by not requesting an ultrasound scan of a baby’s hips – despite the presence of a number of ‘red flags’ that should have prompted action.

The SPSO reached its verdict – which concerned a physiotherapist employed by NHS Lothian – after taking independent advice from a specialist physiotherapist in the paediatric field.

 

 

Photo Credit: Shutterstock
A baby boy has an ultrasound test for possible hip dysplasia (stock image)

Physique
Physique

The parent or parents – referred to as ‘C’ – had complained about a failure to diagnose the fact that their new-born baby’s (referred to as ‘A’) hip been dislocated from birth.

Baby A had been reviewed by a physiotherapist at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh, who found his or her hips were functioning normally. C’s request for an ultrasound scan was refused, meaning that A's condition was not diagnosed until some months later.

What Lothian said

On its part, NHS Lothian said there would ‘always’ be an ‘opportunity for human error’ at an initial screening. It told the ombudsman that this possibility is mitigated by regular teaching and peer review, and ensuring staff are competent in examination before reviewing patients.

However, as a result of this complaint, the board said it had made changes to its hip screening procedures.

 

The decision not to carry out a scan of A's hips was unreasonable and resulted in a delayed diagnosis ... we were advised that the changes already made by the board to their hip screening procedures should improve the clinical process [SPSO]

SPSO: the failure to scan was 'unreasonable'

In its statement, the SPSO said: ‘We considered that the presence of a number of recognised risk factors of hip dysplasia, together with a doctor's prior positive clinical assessment of hip instability, should have led the physiotherapist to arrange an ultrasound.

‘The decision not to carry out a scan of A's hips was unreasonable and resulted in a delayed diagnosis. We upheld this complaint. We were advised that the changes already made by the board to their hip screening procedures should improve the clinical process going forward.’

What the SPSO requested

  • an apology to C for the failure to arrange an ultrasound scan, and the resulting delay in diagnosing A's condition. The apology should meet the standards set out in the SPSO guidelines on apology. See: www.spso.org.uk/information-leaflets

What the SPSO said should change ‘to put things right in future’:

  • the board should establish an audit process to ensure that improvements in teaching and peer review are followed through and that staff continue to meet their competencies
  • the board should share this decision with the physiotherapist ‘in a supportive manner’ and ask him or her to reflect on the case
  • the SPSO also asked NHS Lothian to provide evidence that its recommendations had been implemebted by the deadline it set

To see the SPSO’s decision report, which was updated on 23 June, visit: https://www.spso.org.uk/decision-reports/2021/june/decision-report-201905072-201905072

 

Author: Ian A McMillan
Physique
Physique
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