Coronial
QLDhospital

Fernandez, Adam Anthony

Deceased

Adam Anthony Fernandez

Demographics

33y, male

Coroner

clements

Date of death

2001-12-04

Finding date

2005-10-06

Cause of death

Aspiration due to alcoholic intoxication; coronary atherosclerosis contributed

AI-generated summary

Adam Anthony Fernandez, aged 33, died from aspiration of food contents while acutely intoxicated (blood alcohol 0.276%) following police attendance at his home on 4 December 2001. After police used capsicum spray to safely disarm him, he was transported to Royal Brisbane Hospital. Despite appropriate sedation for aggressive behaviour, he vomited copiously, aspirating semi-solid food that obstructed his airway. Emergency attempts at intubation and surgical airway management were unsuccessful. The coroner found no clinical failures: police intervention was lawful and appropriate, and medical treatment—including sedation and emergency airway procedures—was correct and expert-reviewed. Aspiration in the context of extreme intoxication was the primary cause; coronary atherosclerosis contributed. No preventable clinical errors were identified. Mental health assessment on 1 December appropriately determined no detention was warranted.

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Specialties

emergency medicineanaesthesiaintensive carepsychiatry

Drugs involved

sedativesadrenalinemaxolan

Clinical conditions

aspirationalcoholic intoxicationcoronary atherosclerosisasthmapersonality disorderfood aspiration with airway obstruction

Procedures

nasopharyngeal airway insertionendotracheal intubationbag valve mask ventilationtracheostomy (surgical airway)suctioningexternal cardiac compression

Contributing factors

  • Extreme blood alcohol level (0.276 mg/100ml)
  • Copious vomiting while sedated
  • Airway obstruction by semi-solid food material
  • Pre-existing coronary atherosclerosis narrowing arteries by 50-60%
  • Difficulty achieving endotracheal intubation in heavily intoxicated patient
  • Aggressive, uncooperative behaviour requiring sedation for medical treatment
Full text

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