A 92-year-old woman at a Stockholm nursing home was prescribed end-of-life injections despite not being terminally ill, according to an investigation by Swedish public broadcaster SVT. Ulla-Britt, a resident at Blomsterfonden's elderly care facility, was ordered to receive so-called 'comfort injections' containing medications intended only for patients in the final hours of life.
The decision was made by a doctor from the private healthcare company Familjeläkarna, which oversees over 200 elderly care facilities in the Stockholm region. According to the report, the doctor made the decision by phone without examining Ulla-Britt in person, reportedly stating she was 'standing in a parking lot and not at her computer.'
she received the wrong treatment
One of the prescribed medications, Robinul, should only be administered in the final hours of life to patients experiencing death rattles and who are beyond consciousness. However, mobile phone footage reportedly shows Ulla-Britt sitting up, talking, eating, and drinking at the time.
Ulla-Britt's granddaughter Nathalie protested the treatment, leading to the injections being stopped. Medical examination later revealed Ulla-Britt's right lung had collapsed, requiring hospital treatment with antibiotics and drainage. She recovered but passed away two months after moving to another facility.
she was 'standing in a parking lot and not at her computer'
Gunnar Eckerdal, a senior physician specialized in palliative medicine who reviewed Ulla-Britt's medical records, called it a 'Lex Maria case' - referring to Sweden's system for reporting medical injuries - stating 'she received the wrong treatment.'
Both Blomsterfonden and Familjeläkarna have initiated investigations into the care provided but maintain they did nothing wrong. Familjeläkarna stated in an email response that Ulla-Britt's care was 'in line with science and proven experience' and that their doctors typically handle 200-250 patients per week.
Ulla-Britt's care was 'in line with science and proven experience'