Finding into death of Mark Andrew Spillane

58y · Male·Septic shock secondary to intra-abdominal collections as sequelae of osteomyelitis/discitis in a man with Trisomy 21

A 58-year-old man with Down syndrome and multiple comorbidities died from septic shock secondary to intra-abdominal collections caused by osteomyelitis/discitis of the spine. He initially presented with a foot bone infection detected on imaging in May 2023. Subsequent imaging revealed large bilateral psoas and retroperitoneal collections with L5/S1 osteomyelitis. He was admitted to hospital in June 2023, commenced on antibiotics, and underwent drainage of collections. Despite treatment, his prognosis was poor and further surgery was deemed inappropriate. He became distressed by intravenous access which required removal. He was transitioned to palliative care and died. The coroner found no clinical management failures by either Scope staff or hospital staff that caused or contributed to his death.