Deceased
Wayne Brian Mullin
Demographics
64y, male
Coroner
Decision ofDeputy State Coroner Kennedy
Date of death
2021-09-21/2021-10-20
Finding date
2023-09-25
Cause of death
Complications of eosinophilic asthma with bronchiectasis and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis in a setting of oxycodone and diazepam use
AI-generated summary
Wayne Mullin, a 64-year-old man with severe eosinophilic asthma, bronchiectasis, and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, died between 21 September and 20 October 2021. Toxicology revealed oxycodone and diazepam at levels that would be lethal in femoral blood, though splenic testing lacks reference ranges. These respiratory-depressant drugs were contraindicated given his severe underlying lung disease. Clinical lessons include: oxycodone and benzodiazepines are dangerous in patients with severe asthma and sleep apnoea; medication compliance was a concern (missed dupilumab doses); and monitoring gaps existed during the COVID-19 period when face-to-face contact decreased. The coroner found no suspicious circumstances. No recommendations were made. The death underscores the critical importance of careful prescribing in patients with severe respiratory compromise and maintaining regular contact with vulnerable patients on complex medication regimens.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes. Report an inaccuracy.
Specialties
Error types
Drugs involved
Clinical conditions
37y · Male·Combined effects of presumed heavy metal poisoning from an unknown material and …
A 37-year-old man with schizophrenia died between 14–18 August 2020 in bushland near Whiteman Creek NSW, from presumed heavy metal poisoning and freshwater drowning. He was experiencing a psychotic episode related to unm…
60y · Male·Ischaemic heart disease with a bleeding duodenal ulcer being a significant contr…
James Joseph Cunneen, a 60-year-old man with significant medical comorbidities (ischaemic heart disease, diabetes, peripheral arterial disease), died from cardiac arrest due to ischaemic heart disease with a bleeding duo…
46y · Male·Respiratory arrest secondary to acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma caused by…
A 46-year-old man with poorly controlled asthma and known ibuprofen hypersensitivity presented to a rural hospital with chest pain. A remote on-call doctor prescribed aspirin without knowledge of the allergy or availabil…
Source and disclaimer
This page reproduces or summarises information from publicly available findings published by Australian coroners' courts. Coronial is an independent educational resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any coronial court or government body.
Content may be incomplete, reformatted, or summarised. Some material may have been redacted or restricted by court order or privacy requirements. Always refer to the original court publication for the authoritative record.
Copyright in original materials remains with the relevant government jurisdiction. AI-generated summaries and tagging are for educational purposes only, may contain inaccuracies, and must not be treated as legal documents. We welcome feedback for correction — report an inaccuracy here.