Deceased
NINA SOLYK
Demographics
87y, female
Coroner
Coroner Dr Jane Hendtlass
Date of death
2008-03-12
Finding date
2010-09-08
Cause of death
Sepsis
AI-generated summary
An 87-year-old woman with dementia, heart failure, and cerebrovascular disease died of sepsis on an aged psychiatry unit. She was admitted under mental health legislation following behavioural deterioration. On 11 March, she was diagnosed with urinary tract infection and probable chest infection and commenced on antibiotics. Her condition did not improve, and she was found unresponsive the following morning. The coroner found sepsis as the cause of death with contributing factors being her comorbidities. The finding does not identify specific clinical errors or preventable factors. Key lessons include the need for careful assessment of infection in elderly patients with dementia and multiple comorbidities, timely escalation of care when antibiotics fail, and consideration of the complexity of managing acute illness in psychiatry units.
AI-generated summary — refer to original finding for legal purposes. Report an inaccuracy.
Specialties
FORM 37 Rule 60(1)
FINDING INTO DEATH WITH INQUEST Section 67 of the Coroners Act 2008
Court reference: 1047/08 Inquest into the Death of NINA SOLYK
Delivered On: 8 September 2010
Delivered At: Level 1, 436 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
Hearing Dates: 8 September 2010
Findings of: . JANE HENDTLASS
Place of death: Amatroo Unit - Aged Pyschiatry Unit - Dandenong Hospital Assistant: Sergeant Tracy Weir
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FORM 37 Rule 60(1)
FINDING INTO DEATH WITH INQUEST Section 67 of the Coroners Act 2008 Court reference: 1047/08 In the Coroners Court of Victoria at Melbourne
1, JANE HENDTLASS, Coroner
» having investigated the death of: Details of deceased: Surname: SOLYK Firstname: NINA Address: 1295 Frankston Dandenong Road, Carrum Downs, Victoria 3201 AND having held an inquest in relation to this death on 8 September at Melbourne find that the identity of the deceased was NINA SOLYK and death occurred on 12th March, 2008
at Amaroo Unit - Aged Pysch Unit - Dandenong Hospital, David Street, Dandenong, Victoria 3175 :
from la. SEPSIS
Frankston Dandenong Road in Carrum Downs. Her medical history included progressive dementia including aggression and threats, congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, oesophageal reflux and hypertension. :
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On 11 March 2008, Mrs Solyk was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection and probably chest infection. She was treated with antibiotics but her condition did not improve.
At 6.15am on 12 March 2008, nursing staff found Mrs Solyk unresponsive in bed, She was unable to be revived. :
A recommendation that the medical investigation proceed by way of inspection was accepted by the Coroner. The forensic pathologist who inspected the body and the medical records formed the opinion that the cause of death was sepsis. Contributing factors were dementia, congestive heart failure and cerebrovascular disease.
Accordingly, I find that Nina Solyk died of sepsis.
Signature:
Drf
ne Hendtlass ner 8 Heptember 2010
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