Deceased
Roderick David Charles Ham
Demographics
59y, male
Date of death
2016-10-01
Finding date
2019-04-16
Cause of death
pulmonary thromboemboli due to deep vein thrombosis following right hip replacement
AI-generated summary
A 59-year-old man died from pulmonary thromboembolism following right hip replacement surgery. He had mild polycythaemia and elevated BMI (33.26), both risk factors for deep vein thrombosis. Pre-operatively he was classified as low-risk and received standard thromboprophylaxis (anti-embolic boots, aspirin, early mobilisation). However, an experienced orthopaedic review suggested his polycythaemia and BMI warranted high-risk classification with additional anticoagulation (e.g. warfarin). Additionally, his enoxaparin dose was reduced from 100mg to 70mg twice-daily on day 5 without clear clinical justification, potentially contributing to under-anticoagulation. While the surgeon's initial risk assessment was not unreasonable under 2016 guidelines, clinicians should carefully evaluate cumulative thrombotic risk factors and maintain appropriate anticoagulation dosing in post-operative hip replacement patients.
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
Procedures
87y · Female·right thigh haematoma as a consequence of a periprosthetic fracture of the right…
An 87-year-old woman with multiple comorbidities (diabetes, atrial fibrillation, peripheral vascular disease) sustained a periprosthetic fracture requiring distal femur replacement. She deteriorated significantly during …
92y · Male·Consequences of accidental fall at RACF: post-operative delirium, left femoral i…
A 92-year-old man resident in an aged care facility sustained an unwitnessed fall resulting in left hip fracture, requiring surgical fixation. He developed post-operative delirium and died 8 days later. The coroner ident…
86y · Female·Hypostatic pneumonia due to the consequences of a right pubic rami fracture and …
An 86-year-old woman with advanced dementia and frailty suffered an unwitnessed fall at her aged care facility. Initial assessment failed to identify pubic rami and hip fractures. Post-fall documentation was insufficient…
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