Deceased
Tamika Patricia Carol ULLRICH
Demographics
23y, female
Coroner
Coroner King
Date of death
2012-12-30
Finding date
2017-01-20
Cause of death
chronic hydrocephalus with brain swelling
AI-generated summary
A 23-year-old registered nurse with undiagnosed chronic hydrocephalus presented to the ED with neck pain, headache and vomiting. Dr B. assessed her briefly without formal examination or detailed history, prescribed ketorolac and diazepam, and discharged her after she vomited. She died that night from cardiorespiratory failure triggered by vomiting-induced rise in intracranial pressure. While Dr B.'s documentation and examination practices were criticised as substandard, expert evidence confirmed the hydrocephalus was asymptomatic and undetectable clinically. No investigations (CT, lumbar puncture, X-ray) would have been indicated. Systemic issues at the hospital regarding ED medical leadership, role clarity, and lack of emergency medicine training were identified as contributing factors. The death was not reasonably preventable given her presentation.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes. Report an inaccuracy.
Specialties
Error types
Drugs involved
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