Coroner's Finding: Kettle, Terrence Michael

69y · Male·asphyxia due to choking on food

Mr Kettle, a 69-year-old man with significant medical comorbidities (diabetes, amputation, prostate cancer, recent MI) and cognitive impairment, died from asphyxia after choking on food while a resident at Roy Fagan Centre, a psychiatric hospital for older persons. He was being assisted with eating when he aspirated a toasted cheese sandwich. Immediate first aid (back blows, CPR) was provided by ward staff within seconds, and paramedics arrived 8.5 minutes later with continued resuscitation and intubation. The coroner found the care at the facility was of very good standard and did not contribute to the death. The clinical lesson is that choking remains a significant risk in elderly patients with cognitive impairment and swallowing dysfunction, despite appropriate supervision and assistance with meals.