Coroner's Finding: OVERLAND Harold Kelvin
Deceased
Harold Kelvin Overland
Demographics
74y, male
Date of death
2001-07-27
Finding date
2001-12-14
Cause of death
myocardial infarction
AI-generated summary
A 74-year-old male aged care resident died of myocardial infarction while detained under the Mental Health Act at Royal Adelaide Hospital. He had presented with hypokalaemia and sigmoid volvulus, refusing initial treatment. He was detained due to delirium and combativeness, allowing restraint and treatment. His condition deteriorated with evidence of recent MI on ECG by 23 July; no further surgical intervention was attempted given his unwillingness. The coroner found the cause of death was natural (MI) with no quality-of-care concerns. However, a procedural non-compliance was identified: the psychiatrist failed to sign and date the detention order form as required by Mental Health Act Section 12(9), though this was deemed not to invalidate the detention.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Error types
Clinical conditions
Contributing factors
- hypokalaemia
- sigmoid volvulus with bowel obstruction
- delirium
- patient refusal of initial investigation and treatment
- deteriorating conscious state
Coroner's recommendations
- Matter drawn to the attention of the Director of Mental Health Services, Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Adelaide Hospital, and President of the Guardianship Board regarding the failure to comply with Section 12(9) of the Mental Health Act 1993 in the signing and dating of the detention order form
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