Deceased
Pamela Vance
Demographics
83y, female
Coroner
Coroner Archer
Date of death
2016-11-03
Finding date
2022-05-19
Cause of death
pneumonia with generalised atherosclerosis as a significant contributor
AI-generated summary
Pamela Vance, 83, died from pneumonia with generalised atherosclerosis as a significant contributor. She had multiple comorbidities including COPD, asthma, sleep apnoea and heart disease, complicated by recent falls and repeated pneumonia requiring intubation. After four months of hospitalization, she was discharged home on 1 November 2016 against medical advice to return to hospital (given on 2 November at Sleep Clinic), but she refused. The coroner found no evidence she had pneumonia at discharge, that clinical decisions were reasonable, and discharge planning was appropriate with follow-up arrangements in place. The coroner made no adverse findings against any clinician or hospital. Key lessons: early pneumonia diagnosis is difficult in elderly patients with chronic lung disease; patient autonomy in refusing hospital readmission must be respected; appropriate follow-up arrangements (Sleep Clinic next day, GP visit scheduled) were reasonable alternatives to immediate readmission.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes. Report an inaccuracy.
Specialties
Clinical conditions
Procedures
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