The Whanganui District Health Board has accepted full responsibility for an error that saw a woman being given a muscle relaxant before, rather than after, she was anaesthetised in theatre yesterday.
 
This caused the patient to experience breathing difficulties while she was still awake.
 
WDHB Chief Executive Julie Patterson said as soon as the doctor realised his error he immediately anaesthetised the patient.
 
An investigation is now underway. The patient will receive a copy of the report as soon as it is completed.
 
The doctor who administered the muscle relaxant and the Director of Patient Safety have spoken with the patient to offer their sincere apologies and assure her a full investigation is being conducted.
 
“We are doing everything we can to find out why the mistake occurred and to put steps in place to ensure it doesn’t happen again,” Mrs Patterson said.
 
“We know it was a very frightening experience for the patient. Our thoughts are with her and her family.”
 
Mrs Patterson said the WDHB was unable to comment further on what had happened until a full report had been received.
 
She said the doctor involved is very distressed by his mistake. He is being supported by his colleagues and management.