Coroner's Finding: FALKENBERG Malcolm David

77y · Male·septic shock due to cellulitis of the left forearm

Malcolm Falkenberg, a 77-year-old man with dementia, died from septic shock due to cellulitis of the left forearm. He had been living independently with declining self-care and hygiene. Following a guardianship order, he was placed in aged care on 19 June 2013. On 21 June, staff noted swelling and redness of his left hand after he collapsed from his wheelchair. The family reported he had complained of arm tenderness during transfer from hospital to the nursing home. Despite admission to hospital with cellulitis diagnosis and intravenous antibiotics, his condition deteriorated. He repeatedly removed his IV drip, leading to conversion to oral antibiotics and fluids on 25 June. Comfort care was instituted, and he died two days later. Clinical lessons include the importance of early recognition of cellulitis signs, ensuring adequate IV access in patients with behavioural disturbance (including consideration of sedation or restraint), and prompt escalation when oral antibiotics fail in severe infections.