Finding into death of Susan Elizabeth Czudar
Deceased
Susan Elizabeth Czudar
Demographics
63y, female
Date of death
2025-04-18
Finding date
2026-08-18
Cause of death
1a: Aspiration pneumonia in a woman with acquired brain injury, 1b: Cerebrovascular disease
AI-generated summary
Susan Czudar, 63, died of aspiration pneumonia complicated by acquired brain injury from a 2017 subarachnoid haemorrhage and multiple strokes. Residing in NDIS-funded specialist disability accommodation, she was admitted 20 March 2025 with COVID-19 and reduced consciousness, transferred to palliative care 25 March. A February 2025 videofluoroscopic swallowing study identified high aspiration risk and indicated need for percutaneous gastrostomy. The clinical team engaged the family in shared decision-making about risks, benefits, quality of life, and goals of care. With informed consent, the family chose comfort-based management and continued oral feeding. On 16 April, acute aspiration with desaturation to 85% was managed with oxygen and comfort medications aligned with her wishes. She died 18 April. The coroner found no clinical deficiency, demonstrating this case as an exemplar of risk-aware, family-centered end-of-life care decision-making.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Clinical conditions
Procedures
Contributing factors
- Acquired brain injury from subarachnoid haemorrhage
- Cerebrovascular disease with multiple strokes
- High aspiration risk identified on videofluoroscopic swallowing study
- COVID-19 infection with reduced conscious state
- Continuation of oral feeding despite identified aspiration risk
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