Finding into death of Carol Fay Glascott

79y · Female·Non-convulsive status epilepticus on a background of urinary tract sepsis and pneumonia

Carol Fay Glascott, 79, with Down syndrome, intellectual disability, epilepsy, and Lewy body dementia, died from non-convulsive status epilepticus on a background of urinary tract sepsis and pneumonia. In September 2024, she was admitted to Monash Medical Centre after being found unwell at her Special Disability Accommodation residence. Investigations revealed Klebsiella pneumoniae urinary tract infection and encephalopathy with non-convulsive seizure activity. The treating team appropriately ordered EEGs, consulted specialist neurology, initiated antibiotics, and changed antiepileptic medications to intravenous administration. Despite these interventions, adequate seizure control without further escalation that would significantly impair quality of life proved impossible. Palliative care was initiated and Carol died peacefully. The coroner found no issues with care provided and identified no preventable factors.