276 results
62y · Female·Acute bacterial peritonitis and pneumonia
Rosemarie Campbell, 62, died 27 February 2022 from acute bacterial peritonitis and pneumonia following a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass at Wesley Hospital. Pre-operative failures: The surgeon inadequately investigated her refl…
74y · Male·Acute myocardial infarction complicated by multiple organ failure
Ronald William Beaumont, 74, died from acute myocardial infarction complicated by multiple organ failure following a second shoulder washout procedure. Key clinical lessons: (1) Despite inadvertent withholding of dual an…
86y · Male·Left haemothorax complicating rib fractures (not operated), sustained in a fall
James Reilly, 86, fell at home on 8 September 2024 sustaining rib fractures that caused a fatal left haemothorax. Paramedics attended but he declined transfer. When facial droop developed, he was admitted with presumed t…
78y · Female·Hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy as a result of obstruction of airway caused by …
A 78-year-old woman died from hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy following an acute post-surgical arterial bleed that obstructed her airway after hemithyroidectomy. The bleeding complication occurred when she coughed after…
31y · Male·Status epilepsy secondary to cerebral cavernoma
Jesse Riley, a 31-year-old with undiagnosed cerebral cavernoma, experienced status epilepticus triggered by an unknown cause (possibly nicotine from recent vaping). While in post-ictal delirium, he was perceived as aggre…
62y · Male·Intraoperative haemorrhage due to metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (su…
A 62-year-old man died from intraoperative haemorrhage during surgery for a renal tumour initially diagnosed as benign anastomosing haemangioma on biopsy but found at autopsy to be metastatic clear cell renal cell carcin…
73y · Male·Gregory Frank Burkhalter: carbon monoxide toxicity due to inhalation of carbon m…
Two elderly US-born residents died in a house fire caused by a 120-volt electric blanket operating on Australia's 230-volt grid, resulting in insulation failure and combustion. Mr Burkhalter (73) died from carbon monoxid…
28y · Female·3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMA) and ketamine toxicity
Trang Thi Thu Le, 28, died on her birthday from MDMA and ketamine toxicity after attending an electronic dance music event at John Cain Arena. She collapsed after consuming drugs purchased from an unknown source within t…
30y · Male·pulmonary thromboembolism in an overweight man with comorbidities (including rec…
Karl Steinhauser, a 30-year-old man with schizoaffective disorder and polysubstance misuse, died from pulmonary thromboembolism on 12 March 2023 while under Mental Health Act care. After two weeks of increasingly challen…
76y · Female·Head injury comprised of subdural haematoma, subarachnoid haemorrhage with brain…
A 76-year-old woman died from complications of a severe head injury sustained in a motor vehicle collision. She was initially managed conservatively at a regional hospital, but her condition deteriorated markedly at 9pm …
78y · Female·Tension pneumothorax (surgically managed) due to aspiration pneumonia (bronchosc…
78-year-old woman with severe COPD and type 2 respiratory failure underwent elective melanoma surgery at a private day hospital (North Lakes Day Hospital) despite being classified as ASA 4 (unsuitable for day surgery). T…
71y · Male·Complications following a right hepatic artery injury following an open cholecys…
A 71-year-old man with myelofibrosis and prior abdominal surgery died from complications of a right hepatic artery injury during open cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis. The operative decision was reasonable and the…
2y · Male·Cardiorespiratory arrest in a young child with opioid (morphine) toxicity
David Flynn was a healthy 2-year-8-month-old boy who died after circumcision under sedation with morphine at a private general practice clinic on 7 December 2021. Critical failures included: no fasting instructions despi…
88y · Female·Complications of cholecystectomy surgery
Margaret Mariani, 88, died from complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy for gallstone-induced pancreatitis. An iatrogenic small bowel perforation, likely caused by inadvertent suturing during closure, led to perito…
32y · Male·1(a) Aspiration of gastric contents; 1(b) Combined drug toxicity
A 32-year-old Eritrean refugee died on 22 August 2017 in a mental health unit from aspiration of gastric contents and combined drug toxicity. During his six-day admission, Mr SWX received 64 doses of 11 medications with …
0y · Male·Head injury sustained in a difficult delivery including head impaction and caesa…
Baby Sidney died from severe hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy caused by head impaction during a difficult vaginal delivery attempt and subsequent caesarean section at 6 days old. The coroner found that medical care fell …
0y · Male·subgaleal haematoma and subarachnoid haemorrhage complicating a prolonged labour
Baby W died within 40 minutes of birth from subgaleal haematoma and subarachnoid haemorrhage following a failed instrumental delivery for prolonged labour. The coroner identified critical missed opportunities in decision…
67y · Male·Intracranial haemorrhage complicating coronary artery bypass graft surgery follo…
A 67-year-old man died from intracranial haemorrhage following coronary artery bypass graft surgery. He had suffered a right coronary artery dissection during percutaneous coronary intervention at Sunshine Hospital and w…
86y · Female·Pulmonary thromboembolism in the setting of deep leg vein thrombosis, secondary …
Barbara Deal, 86, died from pulmonary embolism secondary to deep vein thrombosis 17 days after lumbar spinal fusion surgery. Critical failures included: no repeat VTE risk assessments despite policy requirements; inconsi…
66y · Female·Hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy
A 66-year-old woman with COPD, obstructive sleep apnoea, and obesity underwent routine knee surgery at Royal Darwin Hospital. Post-operative care was inadequate. Despite dropping oxygen saturations to 88% when sedated an…
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