Euphemia Lumsden Aldred · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On the 10th November 2015 I commenced an Investigation into the death of Euphemia Lumsden Aldred aged 83 years. The Investigation concluded at the end of the Inquest which was heard on the 16th February 2016. The conclusion of the Inquest was that Euphemia Aldred had suffered fractures to her left leg and ankle, had been treated conservatively in a plaster cast and that following discharge from hospital she was no longer prescribed low molecular weight heparin and she developed a pulmonary embolism and died.

On the 26th September 2015 Euphemia Aldred fell in the lounge at her home address and sustained fractures to her left leg and ankle. She was admitted to the Royal Blackburn Hospital where those fractures were treated conservatively in a plaster cast. During her stay in hospital she was prescribed low molecular weight heparin but following discharge was no longer prescribed and subsequently developed a deep vein thrombosis which led to a pulmonary embolism.

The East Lancashire Hospitals Trust Policy Document: Venous Thrombo-Embolism (VTE) (on Obstetric) Part 1 Prophylaxis, Part II Management of VTE V1.4 October 2015 did not comply with the NICE Guidance on Venous Thrombo-embolism in Adults: Reducing the Risk in Hospital: CG92 January 2010.