Deceased
Joseph Micallef
Demographics
55y, male
Coroner
Coroner John Olle
Date of death
2012-04-07
Finding date
2013-08-23
Cause of death
Aspiration pneumonia
AI-generated summary
Joseph Micallef, a 55-year-old man with cerebral palsy and epilepsy living in high care accommodation, died from aspiration pneumonia. He had longstanding dysphagia related to his cerebral palsy, which had caused multiple previous episodes of aspiration pneumonia. On 7 April 2012, he presented with decreased conscious state, gurgling, and shortness of breath, was admitted to Austin Hospital, treated with antibiotics, but deteriorated and died the same day. The coroner found no evidence of preventable error or system failure. Clinical lessons relate to management of aspiration risk in patients with cerebral palsy and dysphagia, recognition of aspiration pneumonia, and appropriate antibiotic therapy in acute presentation.
AI-generated summary — refer to original finding for legal purposes. Report an inaccuracy.
Specialties
Drugs involved
Court Reference: COR 2012 1266
Form 37 Rule 60(1) Section 67 of the Coroners Act 2008
Inquest into the Death of: JOSEPH MICALLEF
Delivered On: 23 August 2013 Delivered At: Level 11, 222 Exhibition Street Melbourne 3000 Hearing Dates: 25 March 2013 .
Findings of: JOHN OLLE, CORONER Place of Death: ; Austin Hospital, Heidelberg Police Coronial Support Unit Senior Constable John Kennedy
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I, JOHN OLLE, Coroner having investigated the death of JOSEPH MICALLEF of 7 Princes Street Watsonia.
AND having held an inquest in relation to this death on 25 Match 2013 at Melbourne , find that the identity of the deceased was JOSEPH MICALLEF born on 15 February 1957, aged 55 years and the death occurred on 7 April 2012 at Austin Hospital, 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg 3084 from: l(a) ASPIRATION PNEUMONIA 1(b) CEREBRAL PALSY AND EPILEPSY
in the following circumstances:
I, Joseph Micallef was aged 55 years at the time of his death. Joseph lived in high care support
accommodation, ' 2, The Coronial Brief has fully addressed the circumstances of J oseph’s death, Background
4, He suffered cerebral palsy, which caused him to be immobile and confined to a wheelchair, Further, Joseph had difficulty swallowing food and fluid, which caused numerous episodes of
aspiration pneumonia.
e Lamotrigine (Lamictal) 80mg
' Department of Human Services.
20f4
° Cholecalciferol 50mg
including chest infection.
Joseph’s condition deteriorated and he died later that day.
Post Mortem Medical Examination
9, Dr Burke found the cause of death to be aspiration pneumonia and cerebral palsy and epilepsy.
“The post mortem CT scan showed no evidence of head injury. There were increased
lung markings consistent with pneumonia,
The external examination otherwise unremarkable”?
Finding I find the cause of death of Joseph Micallef to be aspiration pneumonia and cerebral palsy and
epilepsy.
? Comments section of Dr Burke’s post mortem report.
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I direct that a copy of this finding be provided to the following: Department of Human Services
First Constable Suzanne Harvey, Seymour Police Station
Date: 23 Aptenet 2013
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