Coronial
VIChome

Finding into death of Jill Hughes

Deceased

Jill Hughes

Demographics

75y, female

Coroner

Coroner Simon McGregor

Date of death

2024-03-26

Finding date

2025-07-24

Cause of death

Infective complications of a left hand injury with diabetic ketoacidosis

AI-generated summary

A 75-year-old woman died from infective complications of a left hand wound sustained in a fall from a ladder in November 2023, complicated by undiagnosed diabetic ketoacidosis. Despite family encouragement to seek medical attention, she declined treatment, claiming falsely to have seen a doctor and taken antibiotics. The wound became severely infected with cellulitis, lymphadenopathy, and bone exposure. She had not accessed any medical care or medications for two years prior to death. The case highlights the dangers of untreated infection in diabetic patients, the importance of medical engagement despite patient reluctance, and the risk of social isolation and self-neglect in elderly living alone.

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

Specialties

infectious diseasesendocrinologyemergency medicinegeneral practiceforensic medicine

Error types

delaydiagnostic

Clinical conditions

diabetic ketoacidosissevere hand infectioncellulitissepsisundiagnosed diabetes mellituswound infection

Contributing factors

  • Delayed presentation and refusal to seek medical care
  • Undiagnosed and untreated diabetes mellitus
  • Severe infection of hand wound with cellulitis and bone involvement
  • Diabetic ketoacidosis triggered by severe infection/sepsis
  • Social isolation and living alone
  • Needle phobia and reluctance to engage with medical system
  • Misinformation to family about receiving treatment
Full text

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