Finding into death of Neil Charles Bethune
Deceased
NEIL CHARLES BETHUNE
Demographics
83y, male
Date of death
2010-05-30
Finding date
2011-09-05
Cause of death
Ischaemic heart disease secondary to coronary atherosclerosis
AI-generated summary
An 83-year-old man with Alzheimer's disease and cardiac disease underwent psychiatric assessment at St Vincent's Hospital ED for self-neglect and safety concerns. Made an involuntary patient under the Mental Health Act 1986, he was commenced on multiple psychoactive medications (Oxazepam, Risperidone, Midazolam, Temazepam) with antipsychotic changed to Olanzapine on day 2. During transfer from Kingston Centre to Normanby House aged care facility, he developed altered consciousness (GCS 14→6→3), prompting diversion to hospital. After normal investigations and overnight observation at Monash Medical Centre, he was discharged to Normanby House on 29 May. At 3:49am the following day he was found unresponsive in asystole. Autopsy confirmed ischaemic heart disease with marked coronary atherosclerosis. The coroner found no evidence of clinical care failures, though noted the family's complaint about not being informed of his diversion to hospital during transfer.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Specialties
Drugs involved
Clinical conditions
Contributing factors
- coronary atherosclerosis
- chronic obstructive airways disease
- dementia
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