Investigation and inquest
On 17 September 2015 an investigation into the death of Christina Bernadette Withey aged 70. The investigation concluded at the end of the Inquest with a Jury on 31 March 2017, having heard evidence on 28, 29, 30 and 31 March 2017. The conclusion of the Inquest was one of a narrative.
Circumstances of the death
Christina was an inpatient at Great Western Hospital, having been admitted on the 10 September 2015, with abdominal pain, constipation and pyrexia. At some point either late on the 14 September or during the 15 September 2015 Christina suffered a stercoral perforation leading to faecal peritonitis, sepsis and multi organ failure which caused her death on the afternoon of 15 September 2015.
Coroner’s concerns
(1) The keeping of patient records in relation to a urine chart and the accurate measuring of output.
(2) The period before a review of a patient is carried out where there has been no improvement in condition.
(3) Review of the sepsis guidelines in the light of the “Acute care toolkit 9: sepsis” produced by The Royal College of Physicians
(4) The training of locums and other temporary staff