Finding into death of Heather Maree Smith

64y · Female·Complications of hospital acquired pneumonia and COVID-19 infection

Heather Maree Smith, a 64-year-old woman with severe cerebral palsy and multiple comorbidities residing in specialist disability accommodation, died from complications of hospital-acquired pneumonia and COVID-19 infection. She presented with cellulitis on 6 December 2022 and was admitted to hospital on 7 December. Over the subsequent three weeks, she experienced recurrent admissions with respiratory compromise, COVID-19, and bacterial pneumonia. A significant clinical challenge was her non-compliance with treatment, including refusal of thickened fluids despite dysphagia, and difficulty with blood tests and interventions. She was discharged on 23 December 2022 against the backdrop of respiratory deterioration, though carers noted improvement in oral intake at home. She deteriorated again on 24-25 December with increased work of breathing and was readmitted on 25 December. She died on 28 December with reduced consciousness, hypoxia, and deranged electrolytes. The coroner found the death was due to natural causes with no preventability findings or clinical concerns identified in the investigation.