Coroner's Finding: Rouse, Rex
Deceased
Rex Rouse
Demographics
86y, male
Date of death
2020-05-26
Finding date
2022-03-21
Cause of death
pulmonary embolism following deep vein thrombosis
AI-generated summary
Rex Rouse, 86, died from pulmonary embolism following deep vein thrombosis while admitted to the psychiatric unit at Launceston General Hospital on 26 May 2020. He was admitted under a Mental Health Act assessment order following a relapse of psychotic depression at his aged care facility. Clinical examination found no acute cause for his mental deterioration. He was medically cleared for admission to the psychiatric ward. Post-admission, he refused mobilisation and hydration. The coroner found his care was appropriate, attentive and competent. The DVT developed insidiously and was not identified before his sudden death. His immobility resulted from worsening mental state despite nursing encouragement to mobilise. No preventable factors were identified by expert reviewers, though literature suggests depressed patients on antidepressants may have increased VTE risk, and maintaining mobility is protective.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Drugs involved
Contributing factors
- immobility and refusal to mobilise
- depression with psychotic features
- mental health relapse
- possible antidepressant medication effects on thrombotic risk
- sedentary behaviour secondary to worsening mental state
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