Coronial
VIChospital

Finding into death of Suzanne Craig Morter

Deceased

Suzanne Craig Morter

Demographics

70y, female

Coroner

Coroner Catherine Fitzgerald

Date of death

2024-05-11

Finding date

2026-02-23

Cause of death

Multi-organ dysfunction complicating sepsis of unknown origin in setting of Alzheimer's dementia and Down Syndrome

AI-generated summary

Suzanne Craig Morter, aged 70, with Down Syndrome and Alzheimer's dementia died from sepsis with multi-organ dysfunction of unknown origin. She collapsed at home on 9 May 2024 and was taken to hospital where investigations revealed severe infection, acute kidney injury, and metabolic derangement. She had an advance care directive preferring limited interventions. Care transitioned to comfort care in accordance with her wishes, and she died peacefully in the palliative care unit. The coroner found the death was from natural causes and not unexpected. No clinical errors or preventability issues were identified. The case highlights appropriate end-of-life care decision-making in a patient with dementia and documented advance directives.

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

Specialties

geriatric medicineemergency medicinepalliative care

Drugs involved

oxycodonerisperidone

Clinical conditions

sepsismulti-organ dysfunctionAlzheimer's dementiaDown Syndromeacute kidney injuryacidemiatype 2 diabetes mellitus

Contributing factors

  • Alzheimer's dementia
  • Down Syndrome
  • sepsis of unknown origin
  • acute kidney injury
  • metabolic acidosis
Full text

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