Investigation and inquest
On 21/10/2015 I commenced an investigation into the death of Edna May CLEATON DOB 30/08/1914, aged 101. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest 16th December 2015. The conclusion of the inquest was that the deceased died from sepsis caused by sacral and leg pressure sores.
Circumstances of the death
The deceased died at her home address on 11/10/15. She had serious pressure sores which had become septic and caused her death. She had not been seen by a doctor for over 3 years despite being prescribed Citalopram for depression. The practice had been providing repeat prescriptions for this period.
Coroner’s concerns
(1) The evidence heard at the inquest was that patients on citalopram should be reviewed by a doctor every 3 – 6 months. This lady had not been reviewed for over 3 years. The practice need systems in place to ensure patients received appropriate medical reviews before repeat prescriptions are issued. Had regular reviews been undertaken it is possible that medical staff would have identified deterioration in the deceased and a care plan could have been instigated which may have avoided the pressure sores that developed.