A private hospital in Auckland has been criticised over its care of an elderly woman who lost about 10 percent of her body weight over six months.
Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner Theo Baker said Fairview Care Limited breached patient rights over the 95-year-old's treatment.
The unnamed woman weighed 38.6kg when admitted to Fairview in 2010.
She had a history of swallowing difficulties and weight loss and needed a pureed diet. Initially she did well, but then began losing weight, dropping to 35.5kg over six months.
The woman was admitted to a public hospital with pneumonia, then discharged to another private hospital, where she died soon after.
Ms Baker said Fairview did little to investigate or address the weight loss and failed to have an up-to-date care plan.
"One response was that 'well sometimes when people get old and towards the end of life, they don't wish to eat'," she said.
"I accept that that can happen but it's important to make sure that you've explored all the possible reasons for not eating."
Fairview had met her recommendations and improved its processes since the case, Ms Baker said.
