Finding into death of Jacinta OBrien

IN THE CORONERS COURT OF VICTORIA AT MELBOURNE

Court Reference: COR 2012 2330

FINDING INTO DEATH WITH INQUEST

Form 37 Rule 60(1) Section 67 of the Coroners Act 2008

Inquest into the Death of: JACINTA O’BRIEN

Delivered On: 21 January 2014 Delivered At: Coroners Court of Victoria, 222 Exhibition Street, Melbourne Hearing Date: 21 January 2014 Findings of: IAIN TRELOAR WEST, DEPUTY STATE CORONER

Police Coronial Support Unit Sergeant Sharon Wade

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I, JAIN TRELOAR WEST, Deputy State Coroner having investigated the death of JACINTA

O’BRIEN

AND having held an inquest in relation to this death on 21 January 2014 at MELBOURNE find that the identity of the deceased was JACINTA O’BRIEN born on 27 July 1966 and the death occurred on 20 June 2012 at Austin Hospital, Studley Road, Heidelberg 3084 from:

1(@@) METASTATIC OVARIAN CARCINOMA

in the following circumstances:

1. Jacinta O’Brien was aged 45 years at the time of her death and due to intellectual disability, was in the care of the Department of Human Services, residing at 13 Tivey Street, Reservoir.

She suffered from Lennox Gastraut Syndrome (intellectual disability) and was unable to

communicate verbally. In addition, Ms O’Brien had a history of dysphagia and seizures.

2. On the 10 June 2012, Ms O’Brien was admitted to Austin Hospital from her care facility with a two week history of abdominal swelling and peripheral oedema, and some possible

abdominal pain. She also had a history of diarrhoea and vomiting.

3. Investigations revealed a mass in her ovary that subsequent testing confirmed to be ovarian cancer. On the 18 June 2012, Ms O’Brien developed aspiration pneumonia. On the 20 June, Ms O’Brien, in the presence of a staff member, suddenly stopped breathing and became cyanosed. Oxygen was administered, however Ms O’Brien was confirmed deceased at 9.15

am. It was not clear what caused her sudden death.

4. On the 3 July 2012, an autopsy examination was performed by Dr Michael Bourke, Senior

Pathologist with the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine. Dr Burke performed an

external and internal examination of Ms O’Brien at the mortuary, reviewed the medical

deposition and clinical notes, the post mortem CT scan and provided a written report of his —————_- findings; Dr Burke reperted-that—in-allthe—cireumstances—a—reasonable-cause—of -death—————

appeared to be metastatic ovarian carcinoma.

5: I find that Jacinta O’Brien died of natural causes with the cause of death being metastatic

ovarian carcinoma. I am further satisfied that her care whilst a client of the Department of

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Human Services and whilst a patient at-Austin Hospital, was within the parameters of

reasonable health care management.

I direct that a copy of this finding be provided to the following: Department of Human Services

Medical Director, Austin Hospital

Signature:

/

IAIN WEST DEPUTY STATE CORONER Date: 21 January 2014

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