KEY POINTS:
A Canadian man died after mistakenly being given another patient's drugs at Wanganui Hospital, an inquest has found.
John Peter Taylor, 62, was admitted in April 2006 with heart and kidney problems, after flying over from Canada for his son's wedding, The Dominion Post reported today.
A mistake by a nurse meant he received another patient's heart medication and his condition deteriorated.
Mr Taylor was transferred to Wellington Hospital and died three days later.
The mistake "contributed to the irreversibility" of Mr Taylor's condition, corner Ian Smith ruled in his written decision released yesterday.
Whanganui District Health Board chief executive Julie Patterson said yesterday the nurse, who apologised during the inquest, had immediately identified the error and alerted her supervisor.
She said Mr Taylor's death was a case of "true human error" and even the best systems were fallible.
The hospital had since reviewed its drug administration procedures.
- NZPA
