Finding into death of Keith Harrington Smith

Rule 60(1)

Court reference: 2195/10

FORM 37

FINDING INTO DEATH WITH INQUEST

Section 67 of the Coroners Act 2008

Inquest into the Death of KEITH HARRINGTON SMITH

Delivered On:

Delivered At:

Hearing Dates:

Findings of:

Place of death:

PCSU:

6th April 2011

Coroners Court, Exhibition Street, Melbourne

6th April 2011

CORONER JOHN OLLE

Sunshine Hospital, Furlong Road, St Albans, Victoria 3021

Sergeant David Dimsey

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FORM 37 Rule 6001)

FINDING INTO DEATH WITH INQUEST Section 67 of the Coroners Act 2008

Court reference: 2195/10

In the Coroners Court of Victoria at Melbourne I, JOHN OLLE, Coroner having investigated the death of:

Details of deceased:

Surname: SMITH First name: KEITH Address: 57 Angliss Street, Yarraville, Victoria 3013

AND having held an inquest in relation to this death on 6th April 2011 at Melbourne

find that the identity of the deceased was KEITH HARRINGTON SMITH and death occurred on 9th June, 2010

at Sunshine Hospital, Furlong Road, St Albans, Victoria 3021

from la. PNEUMONIA

In the following circumstances:

L. Keith Smith was aged 81 years at the time of his death. He lived at 57 Angliss Street, Yarraville.

2. The coronial brief has fully addressed the circumstances of death.

3. Mr Smith’s wife, Hilda, has provided a comprehensive insight into the life of her

husband. The couple had a long, happy and productive marriage. They lived at their Yarraville address all their married life.

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4. Though healthy most of his life, in June 1997 Mr Smith suffercd a heart attack. He underwent bypass surgery with success. In September 2002 Mr Smith suffered a stroke, The consequence of the stroke required insertion of a PEG tube for feeding, Thereafter Mrs Smith was her husband’s carer.

5. In October 2009, Mr Smith suffered a severe case of pneumonia, which required his hospitalisation for six weeks,

6. The death of his dog Darkie in February 2010 distressed Mr Smith and appears the catalyst of deterioration in Mr Smith’s mental health,

7. In the final month of his life Mr Smith received respite care in Footscray and hospital admission at Sunshine Hospital. He was subsequently transferred to Sunshine Mental Health, where he remained for a fortnight. His behaviour had become erratic and out of character.

Whilst a resident at Sunshine Mental Health, Mr Smith apparently suffercd a fall. I do not consider the fali relevant to the cause of death.

Summation of Treatment

8. A report of Dr Fong, medical registrar at Western Health, has provided assistance to the investigation.

9, Dr Fong reviewed Mr Smith on the 8th June 2010, in respect to the onset of the increase

of shortness of breath and poor oxygen saturation. I am satisfied Dr Fong had provided prompt attention to Mr Smith.

10, Dr Fong has set out in detail the findings of his examination. Dr Fong arranged for Mr Smith to be transferred to the emergency department of the Sunshine Hospital for ongoing medical management,

11. T am satisfied that Mr Smith received appropriate care and attention at the Sunshine Hospital and the communication with the family of Mr Smith was appropriate and regular.

Unfortunately, due to the underlying co-morbidities, including recurrent aspiration pneumonia, conservative treatment was recommended. It was not possible to treat the cause of aspiration pneumonia, which was due to swallowing difficulties sustained from the previous stroke. The family agreed to the non-invasive ventilation, IV treatment and supportive care. Dr Fong noted that agreement was reached that Mr Smith was not for resuscitation, ICU management including incubation or inotrope support.

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12. Overnight and into the next day, Mr Smith was appropriately monitored. Dr Fong had ongoing corversations with the family where it was agreed that Mr Smith was unlikely to improve and in all civcumstances it was agreed to withdraw active treatment and provide symptomatic management. Mr Smith received morphine and atropine when needed to relive respiratory distress and supportive nursing care. He died later that morning.

13. Tam satisfied that at all times Mr Smith received appropriate medical care and attention.

Post Mortem Medical Investigation

14, On the 16th June 2010, Dr Sarah Parsons, Forensic Pathologist at the Victorian Institute ot Forensic Medicine, performed an autopsy on the body of Keith Harrington Smith.

15. Dr Parsons found the cause of death to be pneumonia.

16. Dr Parsons noted that Mr Smith also had chronic lung disease in the form of bronchiectasis. Further, Dr Parsons noted nothing to suggest that the death of Mr Smith was due to anything other than natural causes.

Finding

I find the cause of death of Keith Harrington Smith to be pneumonia.

Signature:

John Olle Coroner 6th April, 2011

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