A 40-year-old patient of the Bank of Cyprus Oncology Centre is in a critical condition at Nicosia General Hospital after reportedly being given an enteral feeding formula intravenously on Wednesday. The centre has ordered an internal investigation.
The centre confirmed that she had been taken to hospital and that it had ordered an investigation, but did not confirm the reports about the preparation or how it was given.
Such formulas are intended for the digestive system, not the bloodstream. After it was administered, the woman reportedly suffered severe breathlessness, a drop in oxygen saturation and a raised heart rate. She was rushed to the accident and emergency department at Nicosia General Hospital, where she is still being treated.
In an official statement, the centre said its management had ordered an internal investigation to establish the full circumstances of the incident. “There will be full transparency regarding the outcome of the investigation,” it said, adding that its priority at this stage was the patient’s care and support for her family.
Citing medical confidentiality and the ongoing investigation, the centre said it would make no further comment.
It is not yet known how the alleged error occurred, or whether the required checks were carried out before the formula was given.
