Inadequate management of pain after operation

What happened

Mrs M consented to the removal of her haemorrhoids. After the procedure, staff discharged her without antibiotics or painkillers. She developed an infection after the operation and was off work for two months although she had been told that she would only need two days.

What we found

The Trust had not told Mrs M that this operation can cause a significant amount of pain. It did not acknowledge that staff should have given Mrs M adequate pain relief when she was discharged.

We agreed with the Trust's response that antibiotics were not necessary after the surgery.

Putting it right

We asked the Trust to apologise for the failings we found. In particular, we recommended the Trust apologise for not giving Mrs M adequate pain relief, and for not telling her that she was likely to suffer significant pain after the operation.

We also asked it to write to Mrs M to explain how it would prevent this happening again and how it would make sure patients get enough information about pain, and adequate pain relief when they go home.