Deceased
Jason Keith Harrison
Demographics
34y, male
Date of death
2015-02-07
Finding date
2016-12-16
Cause of death
sepsis due to extensive small bowel infarct caused by bowel incarceration within a congenital mesenteric defect (mesenteric hernia)
AI-generated summary
Jason Keith Harrison, aged 34, died from sepsis due to extensive small bowel infarction caused by bowel incarceration within a congenital mesenteric hernia. He presented to West Coast District Hospital with epigastric pain, vomiting, and constipation. Dr Pashen's assessment was inadequate—he failed to record a diagnosis or differential diagnosis and did not obtain abdominal imaging. His clinical decision was overly influenced by suspicion of illicit drug use rather than consideration of surgical abdomen pathology. By 2pm on 6 February, suspected bowel obstruction should have prompted transfer to North West Regional Hospital for CT imaging and potential emergency surgery. The coroner found this delay was a misjudgement; earlier transfer would have greatly enhanced survival prospects. Key clinical lessons: maintain high suspicion for surgical emergencies in acute abdominal pain, document differential diagnoses systematically, obtain appropriate imaging promptly, and ensure timely escalation to higher-level facilities equipped for emergency surgery.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes. Report an inaccuracy.
Specialties
Error types
Clinical conditions
Procedures
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