Neglect of elderly patient following fall in care home
Bill was 82 when he fell whilst dancing at his care home in 2009. He was admitted to the Royal Derby Hospital and diagnosed with a fractured neck of the right femur, and he underwent surgery to repair this. For two days following surgery Bill improved, and was then transferred to a ward.
On arrival at his new ward, Bill was assessed by a Care of Elderly Consultant, who noted he was dehydrated. The consultant recorded a management plan in his notes, which included stopping Mr Bill’s water tablets, starting IV fluids, and recommending close monitoring.
On transfer to another ward, they noted his food intake was poor and asked staff caring for him to monitor his diet. Bill was not reviewed by Doctors for a number of days. As he suffered with vascular dementia, his home had sent his medication to the hospital with him. This had not been noted and logged and staffs were seemingly unaware that he needed the medication. He became increasingly confused and agitated.
After sixteen days in hospital, nursing notes record that Mr Walters was to be referred to a dietician, and subsequently that dietary supplements were prescribed. Sadly Bill died that same day. An inquest was held following his death, and the Coroner recorded the cause of death to be Pneumonia and severe dehydration, fractured neck of femur ischemic heart disease.
The Coroner decided that the decreased intake of fluid and severe dehydration was a direct contributing factor to his death and his verdict was that Bill died as a result of an accident contributed to by neglect. The case was settled for Bill’s Estate for £15,000.