Patricia Ann WALTON · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 30 January 2023 I commenced an investigation into the death of Patricia Ann WALTON aged 80. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 28 November 2023. The conclusion of the inquest was:

‘Accidental death contributed to by natural causes and an error in the administration of her dual anticoagulation which led to a haemorrhage into her chest and abdominal wall.’

The cause of death was established as:

I a Bilateral Pneumonia

I b Immobility due to Fractured Right Fibula, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Anaemia secondary to Right Chest and Abdominal Wall Haematoma

II Diabetes Mellitus Type 2, Severe Coronary Artery Atherosclerosis, Obesity, Hyperlipidaemia, Old Age and Frailty

Mrs Walton had a fall at her grand-daughter’s address whilst she was visiting on Christmas Day 2022. Initially it was thought that she was not badly injured, but her immobility developed leading to an ambulance being called on the 28 December 2022. There was a delay in the ambulance arriving but when it did, she was conveyed to the Leicester Royal infirmary on the 29 December 2022. She was diagnosed with a fractured right ankle and shoulder injury. A boot was put on her right leg for conservative treatment of the fracture, and she was admitted. A doctor reviewed her on the 30 December 2022 and noted that she was taking warfarin to treat atrial fibrillation and decided to put her on dalteparin as they considered her International Normalized Ratio (INR) was too low. No plan was made at that time as to when to review the situation or when to stop the dalteparin. She was not seen by
a Consultant Medical Physician until the 03 January 2023. He did not appreciate that she was taking warfarin and dalteparin. The INR was being measured but not considered or reviewed and by the 02 January 2023 it was above 2 which should have initiated stopping the dalteparin. However, it was not stopped at that time. Mrs Walton’s haemoglobin suddenly dropped on the 04 January 2023. On the 05 January 2023 the medical staff noticed that she was on dual anticoagulation therapy and the dalteparin was stopped and Vitamin K and blood was given. She was commenced on antibiotics for a chest infection and taken to radiology for a pelvic x-ray as it was thought that a pelvic fracture may be the source of the blood loss. It was thought that the x-ray showed a fractured pelvis, but this was later confirmed not to be the case. Further investigations were undertaken to confirm a fracture as Mrs Walton’s condition deteriorated in the radiology department. She returned to the ward and was treated for pneumonia with antibiotics. Sadly, her condition continued to deteriorate, and she was taken off medications. She died at Leicester General Hospital on the 09 January 2023.

The evidence at the inquest that no medical practitioner saw this lady from the 30 December 2022 to the 03 January 2023, over the New Year Bank Holiday period. My concerns are that whilst there might be a doctor available on call to treat emergencies that occur, there is insufficient cover to assess the subtleties of care required by patients, the absence of which may be as detrimental to the patient as not having emergency cover.