Investigation and inquest
On the 27th April 2017 I commenced an investigation into the death of Percy Jacks. The investigation concluded at the end of an inquest held at the Welshpool Town Hall on 7th July 2017. The conclusion of the inquest was “Narrative”, which was:
“Percy Jacks died from the effects of a pulmonary embolism in circumstances in which there were failings in the management of his anticoagulation medication”.
Circumstances of the death
Percy Jacks passed away in his care home on 15 April 2017. He had been admitted there on 10 February 2017.
He had been diagnosed as suffering with a Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and was prescribed “Rivaoxaban” by his General Practitioner on 1st February 2017. Upon confirmation of the DVT, he was prescribed the anticoagulant for three months in accordance with NICE guidelines – until 1st May 2017.
Due to a breakdown in communication between the hospital and his GP his course of medication was never renewed and he only took it until 12th March 2017 and did not complete the full course.
On the evening of 14 April 2017 he complained of chest pain, was admitted to hospital but released shortly afterwards with a diagnosis of a pulled muscle. There appeared no indication of a DVT / Pulmonary Embolus at that stage. The following morning he was found unresponsive and confirmed deceased. A post-mortem examination confirmed that he had died from a pulmonary embolus.
Coroner’s concerns
[BRIEF SUMMARY OF MATTERS OF CONCERN]
(1) The investigation revealed that the system for the Bronglais Hospital contacting the GP was poor. The result of the DVT scan which took place on 6 February was sent to the incorrect GP surgery and despite an explanation as to why that happened no satisfactory explanation could be found.
(2) The system within the GP surgery for prescribing Rivaroxaban was poor and relied solely on receiving the notification of the results of the scan from the hospital. There was no facility to review the medication to ensure that the correct dosage for the correct period of time continued to be prescribed.
(3) The evidence revealed a view from one of the hospital doctors to the effect that DVT management should be undertaken within the hospital setting rather than by the GP’s to ensure that a comprehensive and failsafe system operated rather than the somewhat haphazard one revealed by the evidence.
(4) The evidence further revealed a practice of sending details of the medication and clinical plan back with the driver of the patient who had taken the patient back from hospital to the care home.
(5) Overall the evidence revealed a very fragile system of communication between GP hospital and care home in circumstances in which the deceased had moved between three care homes in a short period of time.