Coroner's Finding: FIELD Glenda Rae

59y · Female·Hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy due to acute upper airway obstruction

Glenda Rae Field, aged 59, died from hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy due to acute upper airway obstruction by food bolus while eating dinner at her aged care facility. She was a resident at Clearview Manor, a locked care facility, under a guardianship order due to chronic paranoid schizophrenia and factitious disorder. Despite eating quickly, no swallowing difficulties were identified and she was on a normal diet. When she collapsed while eating toast, staff initiated CPR immediately while she remained seated on the bench. Paramedics and MedSTAR attended; the doctor removed additional food from the oesophagus and intubated. Despite 36 minutes of resuscitation, she suffered severe hypoxic brain injury and was declared brain dead. The coroner found no inappropriate care and no recommendations were made. The case highlights the risk of choking in elderly care settings, even without identified swallowing difficulties.