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AIBU?

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Hospital Threw Away Unknown Liquid Elderly Patient Drunk!

10 replies

BooBoo333 · 30/08/2026 13:55

An elderly relative is in hospital with numerous conditions, they were given a drink in a sippy cup, which they drunk and did not notice that it was grey/blue colour liquid, looked like very dirty dish water with sediment like an undissolved tablet. They stopped drinking it when it was discovered, it was passed to a member of staff for an explanation, bagged up and marked, was told it may be sent for testing to find out what this awful looking liquid could possibly be. No member of staff knew what it could be, meds ruled out, dirty dish water maybe ruled out as machine washed, possibly another patients cup left on the table by a busy member of staff? Bagged contents and cup given to ward manager, contents went darker day by day, waited and asked if anything has been done, was told that a liaison person would be in touch. Asked again a few days later and told by the ward manager that no one got in touch so they personally have disposed of the contents! No testing, no liaison person, no answer as to what it could be and now No Evidence as it’s been distorted! Impression given by the ward manager that that’s it and move on….AIBU to pursue this matter with the hospital? It should never have been thrown away/disposed of? What was elderly person drinking, very concerning and not much care or concern shown by ward manager. Would there be any protocol that should have been followed at all in matters such as these? We know and appreciate how busy staff are and very much take that into account. Thank you for your thoughts and opinions, please be kind as going through a lot of emotions at present.

OP posts:
Fascinationstreet · 30/08/2026 14:07

Could it have been a denture cleaning tablet in water? As regards the incident itself, I would not hold much hope but raising it with the hope of improving practise on the ward can be important. I have a lot of bad stories regarding hospital care but that won’t make you feel any better!

DistantEarlyWarning · 30/08/2026 14:10

Testing unknowns isn’t straightforward and hospitals don’t have ready access to forensic testing, nevertheless this should have been properly investigated at the time and recorded. If you can’t get an answer from the ward manager try PALS.

Pavlova31 · 30/08/2026 14:10

Seems like denture post cleaning water to me.

Pavlova31 · 30/08/2026 14:10

Seems like denture post cleaning water to me.

BooBoo333 · 30/08/2026 14:11

Sorry I meant DRANK not drunk! Apologies for spelling mistake….

OP posts:
KarcherK5 · 30/08/2026 14:13

Yes you should complain through PALS, I agree with you that’s not an acceptable resolution.

BooBoo333 · 30/08/2026 16:38

Thank You Everyone, much appreciated

OP posts:
BeachTimeIsBliss · 30/08/2026 16:59

If it was in a supply cup çould it have been a thickener?

PrizedPickledPopcorn · 30/08/2026 17:14

It would have been good to get it checked, however some time on and there’s no obvious ill effects, so maybe it’s no longer needed.

Wingedharpy · 30/08/2026 17:19

How is the elderly person who drank it?

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