The older woman, among other things, had difficulties with food and fluid intake and had on several occasions been constrained by constipation. She received regular pain relief and constipation is then a common side effect. Hence they also received medicines for it.

Due to poor communication and co-operation between the health care and nursing staff and between the health care and nursing staff and the nurse, the patient's problems were not paid enough attention. This led to shortcomings in nursing, as stated in IVO's report.

Constipated for 12 days

Among other things, it had not been discovered that the woman had been constipated for 12 days before receiving her laxative. Once the problem was discovered, the woman experienced abdominal pain. She was also dehydrated and had a fungus in her mouth. This brought suffering.