Finding into death of DONNA LAVINIA FAURE

39y · Female·neurological disorder of unknown cause and right axillary abscess

Donna Lavinia Faure, aged 39, lived in a Department of Human Services group home with a lifelong neurological disability requiring full-time care. In June 2009, she developed an axillary abscess with bacterial infection (Proteus mirabilis and anaerobes). Her care pathway included: early community recognition and GP consultation; hospital admission; blood cultures and appropriate antibiotics; surgical consultation (drainage not feasible due to her anatomy); infectious diseases review. The coroner found no clinical deficiencies. Key clinical lessons: prompt recognition of infection; appropriate diagnostic testing and specialist consultation; acknowledgment of anatomical/clinical limitations; timely transition to palliative care when curative options failed.