A mum-of-two died from sepsis three days after undergoing a hysterectomy where surgeons used equipment "not approved" by the NHS . Jessica Bonner, 51, caught the flesh-eating bug following delays by bungling medics in diagnosing a perforated bowel. She had been admitted to Good Hope Hospital in Sutton Coldfield, West Mids, for treatment for pelvic pain and fibroids in October last year.
Jessica underwent a hysterectomy and oophorectomy - removal of her womb and ovaries - but developed a fever and her heart rate increased the following day. A CT scan performed the day after revealed a suspected perforated bowel which required emergency surgery . However her condition continued to deteriorate and she died on October 8.
A post mortem examination found Jessica died from sepsis as a result of a bowel perforation sustained during her hysterectomy. An inquest at Birmingham & Solihull Coroner's Court ruled she would "likely have survived" if Jessica's symptoms had been acted upon sooner. Her family instructed medical negligence lawyers to investigate her standard of care under University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust.
The trust has now admitted there was "missed opportunities" to identify the source of the sepsis. A Patient Safety Incident Investigation Report also stated a piece of surgical equipment used during the hysterectomy was "not approved" as part of the Trust's policies, and the communication between staff "was limited". Jessica's partner Jason Large, and her so.