Coroner's Finding: Attwood, Maurice

86y · Male·hospital acquired pneumonia

Maurice Attwood, 86 years old, died of hospital-acquired pneumonia following surgical repair of a femoral neck fracture sustained in a fall at home. He had significant comorbidities including dysphagia with aspiration risk, severe malnutrition, asbestosis, pulmonary fibrosis, and prior strokes. The Coronial Medical Consultant found the hospital care was of good standard with appropriate multidisciplinary involvement. His poor prognosis after the fall was attributable to pre-existing conditions rather than substandard care. No medical management issues were identified. The coroner accepted that operative fixation was necessary for pain relief and that without surgery there was no chance of survival.