Man dies after painful legs
An inquest has been carried out after the death of a man who was admitted to hospital with pain to his legs and lower back.
Mr Courtenay was admitted to hospital suffering with severe pain to his lower back and legs.
During his time in hospital he was given varying types of pain control. The side effects of these drugs caused Mr Courtenay's breathing to slow and prevented him from being able to cough. Fluid began to accumulate on his lungs and Mr Courtenay became unconscious. He later regained consciousness after an antidote to his painkillers was administered.
However, this meant that the course of painkillers had to begin again. By the end of Mr Courtenay's first week in hospital he was receiving high doses of medication including, morphine, tranquilisers, anti-depressants, paracetamol and aspirin.
His family became very concerned not only because of the amount of drugs that he was receiving but by the numerous people involved in looking after him. It appeared to them no one was in control of his care.
Just a few days later Mr Courtenay became unconscious once more and the same antidote was given. Sadly Mr Courtenay died the following day.
A post mortem revealed that Mr Courtenay had died from aspiration pneumonia. However, there was grave concern that the numerous drugs had played a part in Mr Courtenay's death.
The grieving family had to wait four years for the inquest.
Bond Pearce's clinical negligence team represented Mr Courtenay's wife at the inquest. The coroner heard expert evidence regarding the drugs that Mr Courtenay received and what part they played in his death. The family finally had a chance to voice their concern as to why he received so much medication and why the hospital carried on with the medication even though he had previously become unconscious.
One of the experts showed concern that the medical team did not have a clear understanding of the medication Mr Courtenay was being administered or indeed precisely what drugs were being given. He said that hospitals generally did not have a good understanding of slow release medication and that recording in this particular case was not the best.
Following the death of Mr Courtenay the hospital has now introduced a regular dose observation chart among other measures to monitor and provide early warning of the possible over-sedation of patients.
The clinical negligence team persuaded the coroner that the introduction and effectiveness of this chart would need to be closely monitored.
It is still uncertain as to whether the existence of the chart would have prevented Mr Coutenay's death. The family has been able to take some comfort in knowing that valuable lessons have been learned and that another family might be spared their pain.
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If you would like to seek expert legal advice relating to this case study or any other injury claim please complete the online enquiry form or call 0800 915 4650
