Inquest into the Death of Donald Richard BROADRIBB

79y · Male·Bronchopneumonia and acute bronchiolitis

Donald Broadribb, 79, died of bronchopneumonia and acute bronchiolitis after presenting to York Hospital on 12 October 2012 with vomiting, cough, and abdominal pain. He was discharged after nurses focused on treating constipation and arranged GP follow-up. Hours later, he deteriorated at home and died. Clinical lessons: the subtle presentation of chest infection in elderly patients (impaired thermoregulation means reduced fever response), importance of considering infection in differential diagnosis even with non-specific symptoms, value of secondary medical assessment before discharge, and risks of diagnostic anchoring on gastrointestinal causes. A chest x-ray two days prior showed no consolidation; the infection likely developed rapidly. Better systems for specialist consultation (telehealth) have since been implemented.