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New HSE guidelines named after Eve Cleary aim to prevent fatal blood clots in future patients
Memories of Eve Cleary, who died after developing blood clots in her lungs, will live on in new HSE national guidelines named after her, the young woman's proud mother has said.
The guidelines for the treatment of venous thromboembolism are believed to be the first in Ireland to carry the name of an individual patient. They will be launched on Tuesday at the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin.
Melanie Cleary said on Thursday: 'When she died, our whole world turned upside down. Eve, within her 21 years, didn't just live and die, she had a phenomenal 21 years. She had a cracking personality and she really cared about other people.'
Eve died within hours of her discharge from University Hospital Limerick in July 2019. The family took a High Court case last year following an inquest finding of medical misadventure.
Despite her grief, Melanie Cleary joined a HSE working group for the new guidelines as a patient representative.
'I didn't think it would help us, but it does a bit because her legacy does live on,' she said.
'And for somebody as marvellous as she was, it's fitting that she has this legacy. And for our family, I'd never like to see another mam or dad go through what we did. This will save lives.'
She, her husband Barry, and their daughters now have a positive date to mark among difficult anniversaries.
'This means the world because we have a day too now to launch this and it's not sad,' she said. 'It's recognising her and what she went through.'
Eve Cleary pictured on July 18 the day before she was admitted to UHL and just days before she died.
She, her husband Barry, and their daughters now have a positive date to mark among difficult anniversaries.
President Michael D Higgins has written to the family to mark the occasion. She said they were 'blown away' by this.
His office wrote: 'The president was deeply moved to learn about your beloved daughter Eve and the profound impact she has made through your advocacy and determination.'
The email went on: 'The naming of national medical guidelines in her honour is a powerful tribute to her memory, an initiative that will undoubtedly help to protect and save the lives of others in the future.'
She also praised HSE Mid West regional executive officer Sandra Broderick for her support.
'I have to say without Sandra Broderick this wouldn't have happened either, she's been amazing as well,' she said.
University Hospital Limerick has since implemented enhanced care protocols for the condition.
Ms Broderick said in October: 'In memory of the late Eve Cleary, and in the spirit and name of her legacy, we have introduced a rolling audit programme on recognising, reducing and managing VTE each quarter and its findings are shared across our governance group.
'HSE Mid West is committed to Eve's programme to ensure we have best practice.'
The HSE's National Clinical Guideline on Venous Thromboembolism, known as the Eve Protocol, takes effect from this month.
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