Keith William Rushton · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On the 22/12/2016 opened an inquest into the death of Keith William Rushton who, at the date of his death was aged 78 years old. The inquest was resumed and concluded on 31/8/2016.
I found that the cause of death to be: -

1a Multi Organ Failure
1b Rhabdomyolysis
II Long Lay, Obesity, Atrial Fibrillation and Right Heart Failure

I concluded with a narrative conclusion:-
On 16/12/2015, Keith William Rushton was found collapsed at his home address where he had been for 20 hours, after sliding out of bed and unable to get up. When taken to hospital, notwithstanding treatment, he succumbed and died from crush injuries to his legs later the same day. Although it is found that there had been a delay in the arrival of the ambulance, it is more likely than not, that an earlier arrival time would not have made a difference to the outcome.

At approximately 8pm 15/12/2015, Mr Rushton who was notably obese slid from his bed at his home address. Since he was unable to get up he remained in this position until he was discovered collapsed and conscious by his friend and neighbour at approximately 2.30am on the next day on 16/12/2015. Although the ambulance was called at 12.53pm the ambulance did not arrive until 2.55pm, 2 hours and 2 minutes later. Upon the arrival of the paramedics Mr Rushton, he succumbed and died from Multi Organ Failure as a result of Rhabdomyolysis from the crush injuries to his legs as a result of his long lie.

• To review and reconsider the adequacy of the existing response times given the two hour delay in responding to Mr Rushton.

• To review existing protocols governing the allocation of information by telephone operators to incorporate more comprehensive enquiries with respect to long lays, particularly in the case of obese patients, in order to ensure adequate delivery of appropriate ambulance response times.