Sandra Phillpott · Prevention of Future Deaths report

The death of Sandra Phillpott on 31st October 2023 was reported to me and I opened an investigation, which concluded by way of an inquest on 5th July 2024.

I determined that the medical cause of Sandra’s death was:

1a Multi - organ failure
1b Sepsis with Disseminated Vascular Coagulation [D.I.C]
1c Streptococcus Pneumoniae
II E.coli 0157 infection; left ventricular hypertrophy; coronary artery atheroma

In box 3 of the Record of Inquest I recorded as follows:

Sandra Phillpott was aged 57 years. She was regarded as active and previously healthy. At around 5pm on Friday, 27th October 2023 she returned home after a holiday in Egypt with her twin Sister. By the time she arrived home she was experiencing some cold-like symptoms due to a bacterial infection - later identified as E.coli 0157 - contracted whilst in Egypt from an unidentified source. The situation was complicated after she then developed a pneumococcal infection which left her feeling cold and shivering. Over the course of that weekend, Sandra remained unwell but did not deteriorate noticeably until the morning of Monday 30th October 2023. She had largely preferred not to seek medical attention, expecting her symptoms to improve. After her condition became more concerning she attended a walk - in - centre from where she was appropriately transferred to the hospital emergency department. She had to remain in an ambulance for around forty minutes before she could enter the department. Initial investigations suggested she had a suspected pulmonary embolism, but she was also showing signs of infection and by 12 noon antibiotics and intravenous fluids had been prescribed. These were not administered in a timely fashion. Her presentation had not indicated she had a specific pneumococcal infection until later that afternoon when following a delayed transfer to the intensive treatment unit a consultant noted a florid rash indicative of pneumococcal sepsis. The results of blood tests would later confirm the infection to be Streptococcus Pneumoniae. Over subsequent hours, Sandra's condition deteriorated and her death had been confirmed at 05.50 hours on 31st October 2023. The likelihood Sandra had sepsis had been under appreciated, and there was a missed opportunity to timely administer her anti biotic therapy and fluids, but from the available evidence this would not have altered the fatal outcome because from around the time antibiotics were prescribed, Sandra's condition was non - survivable. She died from complications arising from a pneumococcal infection. She had been more susceptible to dying from such infection due to the effects of heart disease identified at post mortem examination, and reduced physiological reserves caused by the separate infection which had been contracted in Egypt.

In box 4 of the Record of Inquest I determined that:

Natural causes.

In addition to the contents of section 3 above, the following is of note:

As mentioned above, despite showing signs of infection, the necessary treatment was not provided in a timely manner, notably antibiotic therapy and the administration of intravenous fluids.

Sandra’s shortness of breath, some reported calf pain, and recent flights contributed to a feeling amongst some of the clinical / nursing staff that she had a likely pulmonary embolism [later ruled out] and this in part contributed to a lack of focus on the possibility she had developed a potentially fatal infection.

A helpful Patient Safety Incident Investigation [PSII] Report, provided to the court in advance of the inquest by Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, found that:
• There had been delays in sepsis management
• The initial treatment had focused upon ruling out a pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis, delaying sepsis management.
• Sandra had multiple sepsis triggers, but the main focus remain a pulmonary embolism.

Having considered all of the above, I have determined that I have a duty to write this report.

• The concern relates to the recognition of suspected sepsis, and the need for timely provision of treatment for suspected sepsis.
• Notwithstanding that I determined that from the available evidence timely treatment would not have altered the fatal outcome, I remain firmly of the view this report is necessary.
• I was informed at the inquest that there have been significant improvements in the management of sepsis within the Emergency Department.
• This court has raised concerns with the hospital Trust about this issue previously, and I know it is an issue which the Trust is very aware of and I do not doubt that efforts have been made to make improvements, but having conducted this inquest into Sandra’s death, in my view there remains a risk that sepsis will go unrecognized, and urgent treatment will be delayed, putting patients attending Blackpool Victoria Hospital at risk. My duty to write this report is therefore met. It is not for me to be prescriptive about what action ought to be taken, but to raise this concern should I feel this is necessary.