Deceased
Sandra Susan Black
Demographics
54y, female
Coroner
Coroner Catherine Fitzgerald
Date of death
2023-12-06
Finding date
2026-04-30
Cause of death
Aspiration pneumonia secondary to Alzheimer's dementia complicating Down's Syndrome
AI-generated summary
Sandra Black, aged 54, died from aspiration pneumonia secondary to Alzheimer's dementia complicating Down Syndrome. She lived in specialist disability accommodation and had a long history of recurrent aspiration pneumonia. In November 2023, she presented with persistent cough and was treated for aspiration pneumonia as an outpatient on 1 November. Despite multiple GP reviews and antibiotic courses over two weeks, her condition deteriorated with increased respiratory distress and secretion management issues. Palliative care was appropriately initiated on 13 November with an Advanced Care Directive established. She was transferred to Banksia Palliative Care on 17 November and died comfortably in palliative care on 6 December. The clinical lesson highlights the challenge of managing recurrent aspiration in severely cognitively impaired patients with Down Syndrome, the importance of early palliative care discussions, and appropriate advance care planning in this vulnerable population.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes. Report an inaccuracy.
Specialties
Drugs involved
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