A report by the Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner found that a general practitioner did not meet the appropriate standard of care when treating a woman who died of an accidental oxycodone overdose in 2020.
The doctor breached the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights by agreeing to increase the woman’s daily dosage of the opioid.
The woman, who had been taking oxycodone since 2011, requested an increase in dosage due to increased chest pain associated with a recent lung cancer diagnosis.
The GP agreed to formally prescribe an increase of 10mg three times a day to 20-30mg. Two days later, the woman died at her home of “oxycodone toxicity.”
The case was referred to the Health and Disability Commission (HDC) in November 2021 following a complaint by the woman’s daughter.
Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner Dr. Vanessa Caldwell stated that the breach also extended to a lack of documentation regarding the dosage increase.
The GP has since informed the commission that he has made changes to his practice to improve the care provided to his patients, including further education on opioid titration.
