Source · Prevention of Future Deaths

Beryl Foster

Ref: 2017-0095 Date: 29 Mar 2017 Coroner: David Horsley Area: Portsmouth and South East Hampshire Responses identified: 0 / 1 View PDF

The practice of posting endoscopy discharge summaries, instead of emailing them, critically delayed GP awareness of medication changes, risking patient safety.

Date 29 Mar 2017
56-day deadline 24 May 2017 est.
Responses identified 0 of 1
Hospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths

Coroner's concerns

AI summary
The practice of posting endoscopy discharge summaries, instead of emailing them, critically delayed GP awareness of medication changes, risking patient safety.
View full coroner's concerns
Mrs Foster's discharge summary was handed to her on 8 December 2015 and was subsequently posted to her GP practice. This meant that when she became unwell the following and contacted practice; it was unaware of the endoscopy the previous was told that endoscopy discharge summaries are posted to GP practices by QAH, rather than emailed like all other discharge summaries. am concerned this practice raises a risk that future deaths will occur in such circumstances and would ask the NHS Trust to consider emailing all discharge summaries to GP practices in the future.

Report sections

Investigation and inquest
On 7 June 2016 commenced an investigation into the death of Beryl Yvonne Foster, aged 76. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 14 March 2017. The conclusion of the inquest was a Narrative Conclusion (which is attached hereto): The medical cause of Mrs Foster's death was: 1a): Respiratory Failure 1(b) . Pneumonia 1(c) . Oesophageal Perforation Ischaemic Heart Disease
Circumstances of the death
Mrs Foster underwent an endoscopic ultrasound examination at Queen Alexandra Hospital on 8 December 2015. She became unwell after discharge from the hospital and was re-=
-admitted on 11 December 2015 and subsequently died there on 2 January 2016.
Action should be taken
In my opinion action should be taken t0 prevent future deaths and believe your organisation has the power to take such action day the day:

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Report details

Reference
2017-0095
Date of report
29 March 2017
Coroner
David Horsley
Coroner area
Portsmouth and South East Hampshire

Responses identified

Responses identified 0 of 1
1 response not yet linked

Organisations named in PFD reports are normally expected to respond within 56 days. Deadline: 24 May 2017 (estimated).

Sent to

Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust

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