Coroner's Finding: OVERLAND Harold Kelvin

74y · Male·myocardial infarction

A 74-year-old male aged care resident died of myocardial infarction while detained under the Mental Health Act at Royal Adelaide Hospital. He had presented with hypokalaemia and sigmoid volvulus, refusing initial treatment. He was detained due to delirium and combativeness, allowing restraint and treatment. His condition deteriorated with evidence of recent MI on ECG by 23 July; no further surgical intervention was attempted given his unwillingness. The coroner found the cause of death was natural (MI) with no quality-of-care concerns. However, a procedural non-compliance was identified: the psychiatrist failed to sign and date the detention order form as required by Mental Health Act Section 12(9), though this was deemed not to invalidate the detention.