A 40-year-old woman remains in serious condition at Nicosia General Hospital after an enteral nutrition solution was reportedly administered intravenously at an oncology centre.
The patient was transferred from a private healthcare facility to the state hospital following the incident. She is receiving non-invasive mechanical ventilation but is not intubated, according to Charalambos Charilaou, spokesman for the State Health Services Organisation (OKYPY).
Speaking on Sigma TV’s Mesimeri kai Kati programme, Charilaou said the woman received emergency treatment after arriving at Nicosia General Hospital and remains hospitalised in a ward.
He clarified that she had never been admitted to the intensive care unit and had remained in a ward since her arrival at the Accident and Emergency Department.
“Her condition is serious. She is on non-invasive mechanical ventilation, and we hope she will gradually become more stable and pull through,” he said, adding that her condition had fluctuated.
Why the incorrect administration can be dangerous
Charilaou explained that enteral nutrition solutions are designed to be delivered through the digestive system, either orally or through a nasogastric tube or gastrostomy.
Parenteral nutrition solutions, by contrast, are formulated for intravenous administration and have a different composition.
He said enteral nutrition products contain ingredients that are not intended to enter the bloodstream directly. Administering them intravenously can therefore lead to serious complications.
Potential complications include respiratory distress, low blood oxygen levels, circulatory shock, cardiac complications and multiple organ failure.
The patient may experience breathing difficulties, rapid breathing and a drop in blood oxygen levels. Serious disturbances affecting blood circulation and heart function may also occur.
Risk of infection and organ failure
The OKYPY spokesman also highlighted the risk of infection if microorganisms enter the body through a contaminated solution.
This could lead to bacteraemia, sepsis and septic shock, he said.
In the most severe cases, the functioning of vital organs may be affected, potentially resulting in multiple organ failure.
The reported incident highlights the importance of ensuring that nutritional products and other medical preparations are administered through the correct route.
OKYPY calls for strict adherence to protocols
Charilaou stressed that established protocols must be followed carefully when administering medicines and other medical preparations.
He said the need for vigilance extends to all healthcare professionals and is not limited to the facility involved in this case.
“We must all be very careful when administering preparations to ensure the safety of the patient above all,” he said.
The woman’s condition remains serious, with doctors continuing to monitor her progress.
Also read: Oncology Centre confirms incident involving 40-year-old woman, orders internal investigation
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