Image Credit: ADOBE STOCK

An Australian resident is taking Interior Health to court, claiming a nursing student mistakenly gave her a massive dose of oxytocin before she was in labour, causing serious distress to the fetus.

Rosalene Bradford agreed to be induced while at Kelowna General Hospital in 2021, but the high dose of oxytocin came before she was ready, followed by a "potentially unnecessary" caesarean section, according to a notice of claim filed in BC Supreme Court.

She and the child's father are aiming to hold Interior Health responsible for damages after their mental injuries and for Bradford's recovery from the surgery, according to the claim.

"It was the responsibility of Interior Health and its staff to treat (them) with the degree of care, diligence, judgment and skill... so as not to injure (the child and her parents)," the claims reads.

Bradford and Popp said the health authority knew, or should have known, the incorrect oxytocin dose could have permanently injured Bradford or their child.

Bradford went to the hospital in October 2021, where she had an ultrasound to determine whether they should induce birth or wait for labour to start naturally. After a visit from a doctor, they decided to induce labour using a French Foley catheter.

By the time the catheter was placed, the labour floor was full and there wasn't enough staff to keep going with Bradford's induction, so they postponed and she went home.

She returned the next day around 4:30 p.m., where she saw the same doctor. This time, however, they opted for a "low dose" of oxytocin, according to the claim.

Around 6 p.m., Bradford was moved to a delivery room and a nursing student started an IV.

The IV start was "messy" with blood and a registered nurse left the room to get cleaning supplies, leaving the student nurse alone with Bradford. The registered nurse was gone for two minutes and Bradford was in the midst of a long contraction when she returned.

The nurse then noticed the oxytocin had incorrectly been connected to the IV, which was "free flowing" into Bradford before the nurse turned it off at 6:09 p.m.

Hospital staff tried to give her a relaxant, but it wasn't enough to counter the oxytocin that spurred her contractions. Doctors decided to give her an emergency caesarean section, according to the claim.

Their newborn had "evidence of acute fetal distress" upon her birth, but the extent of her injuries weren't explained in the claim. Bradford and Popp did say a separate claim for their newborn would be filed against Interior Health.

Their lawyer, Keri Grenier, did not respond to an inquiry from iNFOnews.ca.

"Interior Health understands that this was a difficult situation for the family. At this time we are unable to comment further as this matter is with the courts," Interior Health said in a written response.

Interior Health has not yet responded in court and none of their claims have been proven.

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