Coronial
VIChospital

Finding into death of Paul Alexander Goodwin

Deceased

Paul Alexander Goodwin

Demographics

85y, male

Coroner

Coroner John Olle

Date of death

2007-10-05

Finding date

2010-05-31

Cause of death

Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm

AI-generated summary

An 85-year-old man with known inoperable abdominal aortic aneurysm died from rupture of this aneurysm while hospitalized for acute exacerbation of COPD. A medication error occurred at admission when Dr T. inadvertently included medication lists from two other nursing home patients on the deceased's chart, including gabapentin which contributed to sedation. Although Dr T. recognised and ceased the extra medications by 29 September, this error did not cause death. The autopsy confirmed death from natural causes (ruptured AAA). Dr T. was commended as a meticulous practitioner early in his internship. The case highlights importance of careful medication verification at admission and systematic processes to prevent such errors.

AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes. Report an inaccuracy.

Specialties

general medicinerespiratory medicinecardiologypathology

Error types

medication

Drugs involved

gabapentinhexaminclopidogrelamoxicillinintravenous fluids

Clinical conditions

abdominal aortic aneurysmchronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseacute exacerbation of COPDcongestive cardiac failurecerebrovascular accidentdementiahypertensionbasal pneumonia

Contributing factors

  • Medication administration error at admission
  • Gabapentin inadvertently administered causing sedation
  • Pre-existing inoperable abdominal aortic aneurysm

Coroner's recommendations

  1. Steps initiated at the hospital to ensure medication errors are not repeated
  2. Improved supervision and practice protocols for interns regarding medication administration
Full text

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