While being treated for complications at birth in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Brookwood Medical Center in Birmingham, Ala., a newborn was given an overdose of insulin. The parents of the child are now suing the hospital, according to WIAT.
Kathryn Hagan, a nurse herself and the mother of the now two-year old Libby Hagan, told WIAT, "She had a high glucose, blood sugar and they gave her an overdose of insulin. It wasn't just an overdose. It was a massive overdose–one hundred times what she should have been given." Ms. Hagan expressed grave concern regarding the error. She told WIAT that insulin is a high alert medication which requires significant safety checks before it can be administered.
According to WIAT, court documents indicate that the hospital admits to the error, but claims the extent of the injuries caused by the error are not known.
When reached for comment, the hospital told KIAT, "Due to pending litigation, Brookwood Baptist Health is unable to discuss this matter outside of the legal process at this time. Further, HIPPA regulations and other statutory requirements prevent us from discussing confidential patient information."