Investigation and inquest
On 20th August 2021 I commenced an investigation into the death of Mr Graham Edgar White aged 72 years. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 13th July 2022. I made a determination of a narrative conclusion incorporating a finding of neglect;
Mr Graham Edgar White died in hospital on 18th August 2021 following surgery to remove a antegrade ureteric stent of his right ureter.
The stent was inserted in November 2019 and should have been removed after three months. The stent deteriorated causing a urinary tract infection and a right peri-nephric abscess.
On multiple occasions in a 20-month period the deterioration of the stent was observed but no action was taken to remove it.
Mr White’s death was contributed to by neglect.
Mr White’s medical cause of death was determined as;
1a Sepsis
1b Right Perinephric Abscess
1c Urinary tract infection in relation to longstanding ureteric stent inserted for ureteric stone
II Ischaemic Heart Disease
Circumstances of the death
Mr Graham Edgar White was treated for a ureteric stone in November 2019 by the insertion of an antegrade ureteric stent.
The stent was intended to be a temporary measure that should not have remained in place longer than three months.
Over the next 20 months, the deterioration of the stent was observed through imaging on at least four occasions, despite this, it was not until Mr White suffered a urinary tract infection and a right perinephric abscess that the stent was removed during difficult surgery in July 2021.
Mr White developed Sepsis and died on 18th August 2021.
Coroner’s concerns
1. Trust did not have in place a registry of those fitted with stents that would facilitate monitoring and recall of patients.
2. At the time of the inquest the Trust are unable to assess whether they have patients with stents inserted prior to May 22 who are at risk of a similar deterioration.
3. The Trust did not successfully identify and escalate this death through its governance procedures as a serious incident for investigation until the issue was raised by the Coroner.