Coronial
VIChospital

Finding into death of Angela Bella Kettyle

Deceased

Angela Bella Kettyle

Demographics

53y, female

Date of death

2022-11-08

Finding date

2024-11-13

Cause of death

Aspiration pneumonia complicating large bowel obstruction due to faecal impaction

AI-generated summary

Angela Kettyle, a 53-year-old NDIS participant with significant comorbidities including Type II diabetes, cirrhosis, and chronic constipation, died from aspiration pneumonia complicating large bowel obstruction due to faecal impaction. She was admitted to Alfred Hospital on 3 November 2022 with abdominal distension and coarse lung crackles. CT imaging confirmed mechanical bowel obstruction with recto-sigmoid faecal impaction. She deteriorated with developing aspiration pneumonia and was transitioned to palliative care consistent with her advanced care directive. The coroner found medical treatment at Alfred Hospital was appropriate, the transition to end-of-life care was consistent with her wishes, GP care was comprehensive and patient-oriented, and the care provided by her SDA provider Scope Australia was appropriate and respectful. Death was due to natural causes with no preventability issues identified.

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

Contributing factors

  • Large bowel obstruction due to faecal impaction
  • Chronic constipation
  • Aspiration of foreign material
  • Rapidly declining health in the year preceding death
  • Multiple comorbidities including Type II diabetes, cirrhosis, and hepatitis C
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