Investigation and inquest
On 21 May 2018 I commenced an investigation into the death of Ronald CLARK age 64. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 15 February 2019. The conclusion of the inquest was cause of death: 1a. Multi-organ Failure. 1b. Necrotising Pancreatitis, 2. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Ronald CLARK died due to an Accident.
Circumstances of the death
On the Nineteenth January 2018 Ronald CLARK underwent the insertion of a stent in his common hepatic duct. Incorrect sized stent was inadvertently inserted and this, on the balance of probabilities, significantly contributed to his death at Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth on Second of April 2018.
Coroner’s concerns
1. I was told in evidence that the stents used at the hospital are all supplied in identical packaging with only a small label identifying the size of the stents inside. I was also told that stents in this sort of packaging are in general use in most, if not all, NHS hospitals.
2. I believe action should be taken by the purchasing agencies of the NHS to ensure that stent manufacturers should supply different sizes of stents in different coloured packaging to make it easier for them to be identified during medical procedures and to obviate the risk of the wrong-sized stent being used, as was the case with Mr Clark.