Mistakes in Treatment Prompt Thorough Review

Public and private hospitals in Southern Australia will now face more rigorous procedures when setting programs for cancer equipment.

It was uncovered recently that children at Adelaide's Women's and Children's Hospital (WCH) were given overdoses of chemotherapy medication. This discovery follows closely on the heels of another situation at Royal Adelaide Hospital where 900 patients were given doses of chemotherapy that were lower than prescribed.

This new discovery was made more than several weeks ago but was not immediately released to the public.

It has been determined that, in total, 11 children were affected by the overdosing.

The chemotherapy drug etoposide phosphate was given in doses of more than 17% of the prescribed amount. The incorrect dosing has been linked to a computer that was programmed with inaccurate information.

John Hill, South Australian Health Minister, has expressed regret in regards to the mistake. "This was an error and it's unfortunate. I'm very sorry that this error has occurred," he stated during a news conference.

Since the discovery of the mistake a review of the patients' conditions has been conducted by Professor Marcus Vowels, an independent oncologist, who found the large doses to have little consequence.

"My judgment, based on reviewing the patient records and my own experience with the drug since it was introduced, is that no harm has been done," he concluded.

Due to the lack of timely information from the Health Minister, the South Australian Opposition is enraged.

Vickie Chapman, a spokeswoman for the liberal health movement believes the Minister hid information from the public.

"Did not breathe a word about this issue, has deliberately hidden this issue from the people of South Australia and from the children and their families who are the victims of this disgraceful event," she said.

The Minister disagreed and feels his silence was necessary.

"If, two weeks ago, I'd said 'Oh by the way there's another error. It will affect an unknown number of children and we don't know what the consequences are' that would have panicked a lot of people," he said.

As a result of this error and others that have occurred in South Australian public and private hospitals, the government has ordered a review of all procedures used in setting up cancer equipment.

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