Episode 10
The Invisible Mistake
Introduction
In the heart of Riverside, the quiet life of Mr. John Watson, a 62-year-old retired mechanic and classic car enthusiast, took a tragic turn. Known for his meticulous nature and love for restoring vintage vehicles, particularly his prized 1964 Ford Mustang, John suffered a wound while modifying the car's motor. Three days after the incident, John developed a high fever and went to hospital, although reluctantly. At the hospital, the infected wound is being cleaned and prescribed these medications.
Rx.
I.Ciprofloxacin 500 mg twice daily
II.Ibuprofen 400 mg three times daily
III.1500 mL of 50% alcohol-free antiseptic solution
John's death at work 4 days after starting his new treatment took everyone by surprise. For a man who prided himself on his health and precision in his work, his unexpected death shocked the community. Was it a hidden complication from his wound? An undetected infection? Or something more insidious?
Home Inspection
Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate) 1 g twice daily was found during a house search. The box was found to be empty. The box was labelled as belonging to Boby J. Fox. There were also plenty of fruit and vegetables in the house, which were thought to have been eaten by the deceased. The house was observed to be very dirty and disorganised.
Family Interviews
John's family had expressed concerns about his ability to manage his wound care regimen independently. John had made recent changes to his diet, incorporating more fruits and vegetables to support his overall health.
Hospital Records
Hospital records note that John had previously used an alternative antiseptic solution which caused skin irritation and discomfort.
Autopsy Report
The autopsy report revealed systemic toxicity consistent with an overdose of antiseptic chemicals, which exacerbated John's existing health condition. This toxicity contributed significantly to his sudden decline and death.
Interviews with Boby J. Fox
Boby J. Fox said that he was a coworker of the deceased and that the drugs found in his house belonged to him. In the detailed interrogation, John said that he came to him when he got sick, that he did not want to go to the doctor but wanted to take medicine. He said he was sorry that he had shared the medicine.
Physician Interview
The doctor says that the patient came to the hospital with an infected open wound, and after the wound was cleaned, a prescription was written and the patient was sent home.
Pharmacy Investigation
Upon discovery of John's sudden deterioration, investigators conducted a thorough review of the pharmacy's records and procedures. They confirmed that the antiseptic solution used for John's prescription matched the inventory records. The records show that the prescription was prepared during the night shift.
Pharmacy Inventory
The pharmacy maintained meticulous records of its inventory, including the exact quantities of antiseptic solutions available and their concentrations. John's prescription was filled in the records using 70% alcohol-free antiseptic solution.
Interview with Pharmacist
The pharmacist responsible for preparing John's prescription was interviewed during the investigation. The pharmacist confirmed that he had followed standard procedures for diluting the antiseptic solution.
Interview with Pharmacy Technician
Further interviews with the pharmacy technician who assisted in preparing John's prescription revealed that the technician had noted a minor distraction during the preparation process but did not raise concerns at the time. He says he used 1500 mL of 70% antiseptic solution. And the records confirm it.
Environmental Factors
There were reports of a recent outbreak of flu in John's neighborhood, prompting concerns about potential exposure to contagious diseases.
Medication Side Effects
John had experienced mild side effects from previous antiseptic treatments, such as itching and dryness of the skin.
