Cedars-Sinai Cited for Safety Lapses in Overdose of Dennis Quaid Babies
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center has been cited for numerous safety lapses relating to the overdose of anti-clotting drug heparin that was given to Dennis Quaid’s newborn twins last November.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the California Department of Public Health has released a 20-page report detailing the failed procedures that led to a total of three patients (including Zoe Grace and Thomas Boone Quaid) being given a nearly fatal 1,000 times the prescribed dosage of heparin.
“This violation involved multiple failures by the facility to adhere to established policies and procedures for safe medication use,” the state wrote in its report. “These violations caused, or were likely to cause, serious injury or death to the patients who received the wrong medication.”
The prestigious L.A. hospital could also be issued fines by the state.
In a written statement, Dr. Michael L. Langberg, Cedars-Sinai’s chief medical officer, said the state report confirmed the hospital’s own investigation into the incidents.
“While this is a rare event, we are pleased that the [public health department] shares our view that it is an important opportunity for the entire institution to explore any and all ways we can further improve medication safety,” Langberg said.
Among the hospital’s errors cited in the report: medical staff failed to check product labels before they dispensed heparin, did not keep proper records of the drug’s usage, and the hospital didn’t take steps to implement its own policies on high-risk medications.
The Quaid twins were released from the hospital in early December, after which Quaid and his wife Kimberly filed a lawsuit against Chicago-based Baxter Healthcare Corp., the maker of heparin. As of Wednesday, the Quaids have not sued Cedars-Sinai for its errors.
