Deceased
Feryne Gaylene Hunter
Demographics
75y, female
Date of death
2017-09-12
Finding date
2020-05-15
Cause of death
Airway obstruction due to aspiration occluding a permanent tracheostomy
AI-generated summary
Feryne Gaylene Hunter, aged 75, died from airway obstruction due to aspiration into her permanent tracheostomy. She had a history of subglottic stenosis, asthma, and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease with a hiatus hernia. Despite district nursing care three times weekly and two ambulance attendances on 11-12 September 2017, Mrs Hunter consistently refused assessment and hospital transport. Paramedics correctly applied capacity assessment criteria (VIRCA) on both occasions. The coroner found no preventable failures in clinical care or paramedic actions. However, documentation of refusal assessment could have been more comprehensive regarding risks and alternative pathways. The underlying clinical deterioration—coughing up clots, tracheostomy blockages, and progressive unwell state—occurred despite appropriate monitoring and advice to seek help.
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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