Deceased
Shawn James Farlech
Demographics
47y, male
Date of death
2024-04-13
Finding date
2025-05-26
Cause of death
Pneumonia
AI-generated summary
Shawn Farlech, a 47-year-old man with acquired brain injury from childhood encephalitis living in specialist disability accommodation, died from pneumonia with sepsis. He presented with fever on 8 April and was initially treated at Stawell Regional Health. He deteriorated overnight, was found on the floor, and transferred to Grampians Health Ballarat with influenza A and multilobar pneumonia. Despite severe sepsis, multiple MET calls, and ICU reviews, he struggled to tolerate oxygen therapy due to distress and repeatedly removed his mask. Goals of care were discussed with family, and he transitioned to comfort care, dying on 13 April. The coroner found no causal connection between his death and disability care status, accepting natural causes. Clinical lessons include early recognition of deterioration in vulnerable patients, appropriate escalation, and management of patients unable to tolerate standard respiratory support.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Drugs involved
Clinical conditions
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