Finding into death of Laurence Joseph Kermond
Deceased
Laurence Joseph Kermond
Demographics
65y, male
Date of death
2019-08-05
Finding date
2021-02-25
Cause of death
Complications of end stage renal failure in a man with multiple co-morbidities
AI-generated summary
Mr Kermond, a 65-year-old man with intellectual disability, visual and hearing impairment living in a group home, was admitted to Lyndoch Living for respite care on 25 July 2019. He had end-stage renal failure and multiple comorbidities. On 4 August 2019, carers noted deterioration (altered consciousness, left eye rolling back, left arm slumped) at 3:30pm. An on-call GP was consulted and he was transported by ambulance at 5:20pm to hospital. Comfort care was commenced in discussion with his sister (medical decision-maker), and he died the following day. The clinical lesson is ensuring vulnerable patients with communication difficulties have clear escalation pathways. The DSC investigation found service improvements were subsequently implemented by DHHS. The death was from natural causes—complications of end-stage renal failure.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Contributing factors
- end stage renal failure not for dialysis
- deteriorating renal function
- multiple comorbidities
- intellectual disability and communication difficulties
- visual and hearing impairment
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