Finding into death of Rodney Griffin

64y · Male·Foreign body associated small bowel obstruction

Rodney Griffin, a 64-year-old man with moderate intellectual disability and autism living in a community residential unit, died from small bowel obstruction caused by a 45mm quartz-like stone he had ingested. Despite a known history of habitual foreign object swallowing requiring close supervision, and previous episodes of foreign body ingestion managed conservatively with serial imaging and monitoring, Griffin remained asymptomatic until his death. The coroner found that Dr P.'s clinical management using observation and serial x-rays was appropriate, and that Churchill staff provided appropriate supervision and precautions. The coroner identified no clinical management failures or inadequate care contributing to his death.