Inquest into the death of Kevin Steel

65y · Male·Congestive Cardiac Failure secondary to Ischaemic Heart Disease due to Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with disseminated metastatic pleural disease and malignant pleural effusion

Kevin John Steel, a 65-year-old Aboriginal man with advanced non-small cell lung cancer, ischaemic heart disease, atrial fibrillation, and multiple comorbidities, died in Alice Springs Hospital from congestive cardiac failure. He was incarcerated at the time of death. The coroner found that care, supervision, and treatment provided while in custody were appropriate. The deceased had undergone radiotherapy at Royal Adelaide Hospital in August-September 2014, after which he was deemed unsuitable for further similar treatment. He received palliative care from April 2015 onwards following poor prognosis discussion. Multiple hospital admissions occurred for respiratory and cardiac complications. The coroner made no adverse findings regarding clinical management or recommendations for improvement, indicating the medical care provided met appropriate standards throughout his custody and final illness.