Incidentcase14

Barbara Cook, 74, claims she was injected with water instead of the painkiller fentanyl while being treated for a broken leg in Brisbane’s north in May, 2013. Months later, Ms Cook developed an infection caused by bacteria called pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is commonly found in water. Ms Cook’s son-in-law, Tim Watkins, who had been working as a paramedic, was suspicious. Mr Watkins had previously uncovered evidence of drug tampering in the Metro North region. He photographed a broken morphine ampoule that had been refilled with water or saline and glued back together. When he reported this to his managers, they concluded “faulty manufacturing” was to blame. In August 2013, Mr Watkins found more tampered ampoules in his drug bag while on the road. The discovery resulted in a drug bust.

According to an analysis of QAS records obtained by Background Briefing and 7.30, potentially thousands of patients who were administered narcotics for pain relief in the region over a two-year period were at risk of being exposed to a tampered drug.

The QAS also overlooked the testimony of the paramedic who was caught stealing and tampering with painkillers around the same time as Ms Cook alleges she was mistakenly injected with water.

The paramedic, who asked to remain anonymous, pled guilty in the Brisbane Magistrates Court to a string of drug tampering offences beginning in October, 2011.