GPs rapped for poor continuity of care
New Zealand's health watchdog has criticised two general practices for failing to deliver high quality care when patients with chronic disease see different doctors
Two general practices in New Zealand have been put on notice over substandard continuity of care after a patient died and another developed acute kidney injury.
In the first case, a 68-year-old man with a history of COPD died after three GPs at the one practice failed to diagnose his congestive heart failure despite him returning with worsening symptoms over a three-week period.
When heart failure was finally diagnosed, a fourth GP underestimated its seriousness, telling the man’s daughter he would improve with medication and fluid restriction, according to the Health and Disability Commissioner’s report.
The man died a day after his daughter decided to take him to hospital.
