A MAN had a successful operation to treat appendicitis at Basildon Hospital, only to die when he was given a penicillin-based drug, despite being allergic.
Peter Jex, 58, went into cardiac arrest and died in intensive care after being given the drug Augmentin after the operation.
An inquest in Chelmsford heard yesterday Mr Jex, from Grays, had previously complained of an “itch” when his GP Dr Amara Singh prescribed another pencillin-based antibiotic for a dental abcess he suffered in September 2008.
Mr Jex reported the itch to a receptionist at the Orsett Road surgery, in Grays, on September 19 and Dr Singh changed the antibiotics.
On November 3, 2008, Mr Jex died at Basildon Hospital after being prescribed a pencillin-based drug, having undergone the appendicitis operation.
Dr Singh told the inquest he could not remember whether he spoke directly to the patient about his symptoms, but decided to act on information relayed to him by his receptionist and change Mr Jex’s medication.
The court heard Mr Jex was diagnosed with a bout of appendicitis by Dr Singh.
Dr Morgan May, a consultant anaesthetist consultant at the hospital, who attended the operation on Mr Jex’s inflated appendix, said: “Soon after the unremarkable operation, we administered Augmentin, a standard procedure, and Mr Jex fell profoundly ill.
“He went into cardiac arrest. Despite making a good recovery from this, following an hour of CPR, he died in intensive care.
“The GP’s referral letter showed Mr Jex had no allergies and before the operation, a nurse checked with Mr Jex he had no allergies.
“His medical records also showed he had had the drug before when having a hernia repair operation with no adverse reactions.”
Representatives for Mr Jex’s family said the coroner should come to a verdict of neglect in the case, as there was a failure to provide basic medical care when Mr Jex reported his reaction to the antibiotic in September.
However, representatives of Dr Singh said there was no failure to provide basic medical care, as Dr Singh did not suspect Mr Jex’s itch meant he was allergic to penicillin.
The coroner will announce her verdict on May 28.
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