Posted: 17:18, September 4, 2022 | Updated: 17:18, September 4, 2022
A hospital has been ordered to pay $2.4 million to a woman who was left a quadriplegic after being misdiagnosed. Edita Siroky sued the Flinders Medical Center in Adelaide for its failure to recognize a bacterial infection of the spine. The Czech-born grandmother was hospitalized several times, starting on February 14, 2018, after being transferred from Noarlunga Hospital. Ms Siroky reported having a sore throat that made swallowing painful, as well as a sore throat, dry cough, fever and vomiting, the South Australian Supreme Court heard. Despite tests showing she “probably had a bacterial infection,” she was diagnosed with tonsillitis, discharged with a prescription and told to see her own doctor. Adelaide’s Flinders Medical Center (pictured) has been ordered to pay $2.4 million to a woman who was left a quadriplegic after being misdiagnosed But two days later Ms Siroky returned to the hospital’s emergency department with worse shoulder and chest pain that was so severe it “made her cry”. He had more blood tests which again showed he had a bacterial infection that was getting worse. After several days she was prescribed a steroid called prednisolone and discharged again, the Advertiser reported. “The administration of the steroid prednisolone caused the rapid progression of Ms. Siroky’s tablet and the development of a spinal epidural abscess,” the statement of claim said. On February 27, 2018, Ms Siroky collapsed in the car park of her chiropractor’s surgery and was rushed to Flinders Medical Center and admitted to the intensive care unit. Tests carried out afterwards confirmed that he had an infection, as well as damage to his spine. Ms Siroky said the hospital was negligent for not using a translator or taking an adequate health history and not giving her antibiotics. “As a result of the hospital’s negligence in failing to diagnose and treat Ms. Siroky’s infectious process, she suffered a pill to her cervical spine and the infection spread by forming an abscess,” the claim said. Ms Siroky collapsed in the car park of her chiropractor’s surgery and was rushed to Flinders Medical Center and admitted to intensive care. Pictured is a South Australian Emergency Ambulance “Left untreated (it) grew, causing cord compression and subtotal quadriplegia.” Ms Siroky sought compensation for her injuries, loss of enjoyment of life, psychiatric problems and her need for ongoing treatment. The hospital said it “admits that as a result of its negligence the claimant became a cumulative quadriplegic”, who had and would need medical treatment. “The respondent admits that the applicant’s ability to function physically and enjoy life has been reduced by the physical injuries, but denies that the applicant has suffered any psychological harm.” A $2.4 million compensation settlement was reached with the South Australian government on behalf of the hospital.
