Finding into death of David John McDermott

70y · Male·Congestive cardiac failure in a man with ischaemic and hypertensive heart disease

David McDermott, a 70-year-old man with intellectual disability in supported residential care, died from congestive cardiac failure secondary to ischaemic and hypertensive heart disease. He was admitted to hospital with sepsis and acute kidney injury in May 2018, followed by a complicated recovery including left foot infection requiring surgical drainage. In September, he developed acute deterioration with worsening renal function and was transferred back to acute care. During admission, his agitation and refusal of medical treatment necessitated chemical restraint, delaying assessment and treatment. A blood gas showed severe acidosis (pH 7.08) with poor prognosis. He died hours later. The coroner found his medical care reasonable with no causal connection between clinical management and death. The primary issue was managing a patient with intellectual disability who could not comprehend or cooperate with necessary medical interventions.