Finding into death of Robert Kingsley Whitehead
Deceased
Robert Kingsley Whitehead
Demographics
84y, male
Date of death
2015-09-18
Finding date
2016-08-25
Cause of death
Complications of gout and old spinal injury, cause unknown
AI-generated summary
An 84-year-old male prisoner with multiple comorbidities (gout, spinal cord injury, renal impairment, cardiac failure) presented with chest infection, abdominal pain, and urinary retention. He was treated with intravenous antibiotics for suspected overwhelming sepsis. Despite appropriate broad-spectrum antibiotics, he deteriorated clinically. The patient became agitated and uncooperative, refusing further investigations including bone scan. After discussion with family regarding futility of further treatment given multiple comorbidities and declining condition, palliative care was initiated. Death resulted from complications of gout and old spinal injury (cause unknown) rather than primarily from sepsis. The coroner found care provided was appropriate given the clinical complexity.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Drugs involved
Clinical conditions
Contributing factors
- Multiple comorbidities including atrial fibrillation, spinal injury, peripheral vascular disease, cardiac failure, chronic renal impairment, bilateral foot ulcers
- Faecal impaction secondary to spinal cord injury
- Urinary retention secondary to spinal cord injury
- Urinary tract infection from urinary retention
- Congestive cardiac failure exacerbated by acute on chronic renal failure
- Patient agitation and non-cooperation with investigations and oral intake
- Pseudomembranous colitis as complication of cephalosporin therapy
- Infected gouty tophi requiring antibiotic treatment
- Sedentary status secondary to spinal injury and acute illness
Full text
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