Coroner's Finding: ROBERTS Brian Murray

76y · Male·respiratory failure secondary to right pneumonectomy and chronic obstructive airways disease

A 76-year-old man with a history of right pneumonectomy 25 years prior, chronic obstructive airways disease, and recent-onset dementia was detained under the Mental Health Act at Glenside Hospital. On 21 May 2000, he collapsed with acute respiratory distress syndrome and was transferred to Royal Adelaide Hospital. Despite treatment with antibiotics, steroids, bronchodilators and prophylactic anticoagulation, his condition deteriorated. Comfort care was instituted on 24 May and he died on 27 May from respiratory failure. The coroner found no grounds for concern about the quality of treatment during his detention and found the death unrelated to his mental health detention.