Clinic that treated Joan Rivers before her death made a series of 'blunders'

The clinic that treated Joan Rivers before her death made a catalogue of mistakes and did not take action quickly enough as her heart stopped on the operating table, according to an official report.

Federal investigators said staff at Yorkville Endoscopy in Manhattan “failed to identify deteriorating vital signs and provide timely intervention” as the comedian underwent a routine throat procedure.

The report also alleges her notes were changed to say she was given 120mg of sedative, when the original entry stated it was 300mg.

Rivers, 81, suffered lack of oxygen to the brain and was put on life support at Mount Sinai Hospital, but died on September 4, a week after the operation. There is no criticism of her treatment there.

The report, by the Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services, also accuses Yorkville staff of failing to weigh Rivers before giving her anaesthetic.

It claims she only consented to one operation, not the three that were carried out.