Coronial
VIChospital

Finding into death of Daniel McQuilken

Deceased

Daniel McQuilken

Demographics

68y, male

Date of death

2021-05-26

Finding date

2022-03-09

Cause of death

Lung cancer

AI-generated summary

Daniel McQuilken, a 68-year-old man in immigration detention, died from metastatic lung cancer. His lung cancer diagnosis was made while detained, likely related to his significant smoking history and prior asbestos and occupational exposure. Throughout his detention, Mr McQuilken received reasonable and appropriate monitoring and care from International Health and Medical Services, with appropriate escalation following cancer diagnosis and multiple referrals to allied health and specialist services. His condition progressively worsened despite palliative chemotherapy. In his final admission, he developed fever, hypoxia and respiratory distress. Goals of care were appropriately established as ward-based management only, without intubation or CPR. He died from progressive lung cancer with respiratory failure. The coroner found no deficiency in medical care and noted that assessment and monitoring of both physical and mental health was reasonable and appropriate.

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

Contributing factors

  • metastatic non-small cell carcinoma with progressive disease
  • bilateral pleural effusions
  • respiratory failure
  • chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  • heavy smoking history
  • occupational and asbestos exposure
  • chemotherapy-related complications
Full text

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