Investigation and inquest
On 14th June 2022 I commenced an investigation into the death of Kenneth Goodwin then aged 86 years. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 9th October 2022. At the end of the Inquest, I recorded a narrative conclusion that Mr Goodwin died as a result of an acute subdural haematoma following a fall.
The medical cause of death being
1a Traumatic Subdural Haematoma
II Cholecystitis
Circumstances of the death
Kenneth Goodwin was admitted to hospital on 1st June 2022 with severe abdominal pain and was treated for sepsis from gall stones and cholecystitis. The infection for which he was admitted was gradually improving during his admission following conservative treatment.
Mr Goodwin’s family confirmed to the hospital that he was a falls risk.
On 3rd June 2022 he had a fall in hospital and banged his head, likely on his hospital bed. The fall occurred after being transferred from one ward to another during the night. He was transferred at 21:09 and the fall occurred at 01:40 before a falls risk assessment had been completed on the new ward. After transfer he displayed signs of confusion and wished to get out of bed to use the bathroom despite being catheterized. The Inquest heard that it was unclear if the bed rails were used.
As a result of the fall, he developed an acute subdural haematoma. This was treated conservatively but despite treatment he deteriorated and died on 9th June 2022 whilst still at Stepping Hill Hospital.
Stepping Hill Hospital have taken steps to reduce nighttime transfers for patients experiencing confusion or who are at risk of falls.
Coroner’s concerns
(1) The Inquest heard that the transfer process between wards for patients at risk of falls does not require a specific written confirmation that a handover in relation to that risk has taken place.
(2) The falls risk assessment on the new ward was not completed for just over 4.5 hours. The Inquest heard that the target time for this assessment is within 6 hours, a length of time which is of concern for patients transferred at night, displaying signs of confusion, and already identified as a fall risk.
(3) The Inquest heard that the use of signs on beds to visually identify falls risk to the staff is not consistently used.