Deceased
Clare Louise Harrison
Demographics
29y, female
Date of death
2015-01-26
Finding date
2015-07-10
Cause of death
multi-lobe community acquired pneumonia and respiratory failure
AI-generated summary
Clare Louise Harrison, a 29-year-old woman with long-standing anorexia nervosa diagnosed at age 17, died from community-acquired pneumonia and respiratory failure after a final 21-day admission to Alice Springs Hospital. She was found hypoglycaemic at home on 5 January 2015 and admitted with severe malnutrition (BMI 9.36), bilateral pneumonia, and multi-organ dysfunction. The treating team, led by psychiatrist Dr Turnbull and physician Dr Ellis, managed a complex case balancing her autonomous wishes against medical deterioration. After involuntary admission on 13 January when cognitive impairment interfered with treatment decisions, the team deliberately avoided nasogastric feeding despite her severe malnutrition due to her profound opposition, recognised risks of physical harm, and concerns about therapeutic rapport. On 26 January, active treatment was withdrawn as futile. The coroner found the care exemplary and multidisciplinary, with no criticism of clinical decision-making. Key clinical lessons include individualised capacity assessment regardless of BMI, careful consideration of coercive feeding in anorexia patients who have previously resisted treatment, collaborative family engagement, and recognition that anorexia carries approximately 10% mortality.
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Specialties
Drugs involved
Clinical conditions
Procedures
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