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Mum's ECG Missed, Daughter Finds Photo
16 Mar
Summary
- Daughter found mother dead after ECG abnormality was missed.
- Abnormal ECG results were not signed off by medical professionals.
- A photo of the ECG reading revealed the overlooked abnormality.
A young woman's life was irrevocably altered when she discovered her mother, Tracey McGrann, lifeless in bed. This devastating event occurred only four months after the passing of her father due to severe pneumonia. Tracey, 54, had visited Arrowe Park Hospital after experiencing chest pain symptoms.
Following an electrocardiogram (ECG), Tracey received her results via text, advising immediate hospital attendance. She went to the emergency department, had another ECG, and was subsequently discharged. Her family later claimed the initial ECG results, which showed a moderate T-wave abnormality indicating potential ischemia, were not properly signed off.
Tragically, her 16-year-old daughter found her deceased on May 26, 2024. The family was shocked, as Tracey had been out celebrating a friend's birthday the night before. The daughter has since taken custody of her younger sister, impacting her own life and career.
An inquest determined Tracey's death was due to ischaemic heart disease. The family discovered a photo of the ECG on Tracey's phone, confirming the abnormality had been present and overlooked. This led to a medical negligence claim against Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
Solicitors highlight that the situation was preventable, emphasizing that Tracey followed all necessary medical advice. This case is part of a larger national trend, with NHS trusts settling over £1.2 billion in misdiagnosis claims in the past six years.
