Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2014

Keith Martin

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2014-0055, written 5 Feb 2014. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report5 Feb 2014
Reference2014-0055
DeceasedKeith Martin
CoronerKaren Henderson
Coroner areaSurrey
CategoryHospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths
Organisation namedAshford Hospital NHS Trust
Sourcejudiciary.uk record · original PDF
Responses publishednone published

The report

Text extracted from the PDF text layer. Reproduced verbatim, including the scan's own layout.

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS 

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO: 

1.  Chief Executive, St Peters and Ashford hospitals Chertsey 

1 

CORONER 

I am Karen HENDERSON, assistant coroner for the coroner area of Surrey 

2 

CORONER’S LEGAL POWERS 

I make this report under paragraph 7, Schedule 5, of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 and regulations 
28 and 29 of the Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013 

3 

INVESTIGATION and INQUEST 
On 18th March 2013 an investigation was commenced into the death of Keith Ronald Martin, 64 years of 
age. The investigation was concluded at the end of the inquest on 5th February 2014. The medical cause 
of death given was: 

1a. Myocardial infarction 
1b.  
1c. 

2.  

My conclusion was: Natural Causes 

4 

5 

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 
Mr  Martin  attended  the  A&E  department  of  St  Peter’s Hospital Chertsey  at 2200  hours  on  March  2013 
after complaining of central chest pain and tingling down his left arm from approximately 1600 that day. 
He was not triaged by an A&E nurse until 2250 hours and did not have an ECG or blood tests until one 
hour later. His initial ECG showed no significant changes but his troponin level was significantly raised. 
No  treatment  was  instituted  until  0140  hours  when  he  became  significantly  unwell  and  further  ECG’s 
showed  a  significant  myocardial  infarction  requiring  emergency  transfer  to  Frimley  Park  Hospital  for 
angiography  and  possible  recanalization  of  his  coronary  blood  vessels.  This  was  undertaken  but  Mr 
Martin  subsequently  bled  from  a  cannulation  site  for  attempted  introduction  of  an  intra-aortic  balloon 
pump but his myocardial infarction was incompatible with life. 
CORONER’S CONCERNS 

During  the  course  of  the  inquest  the  evidence  revealed  matters  giving  rise  for  concern.  In  my  opinion 
there is a risk that future death will occur unless action is taken. In the circumstances it is my statutory 
duty to report to you. 

The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows: 

1.  The length of time taken to initially assess Mr Martin in A&E, given his presenting symptoms 
2.  The significance of Mr Martin’s symptoms were not appreciated at triage 
3.  The length of time taken to undertake an ECG and blood tests after initial triage 
4.  The length of time taken to receive the results of these tests 
5.  The significance of the rise in troponin was not appreciated or acted upon promptly 
6.  The length of time taken for Mr Martin to be reviewed by a senior member of staff  
7.  The  length  of  time  taken  to  provide  standard  pharmacological  treatment  for  chest  pain  or 

myocardial infarction  

8.  A lack of clarity as to the protocol for the management of chest pain in A&E 
9.  An overall lack of effective documentation 

RT3872 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 6 

ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN 
In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you and your organisation: St 
Peters and Ashford Hospital NHS Trust has the power to take such action. 

7 

YOUR RESPONSE 

You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the date of this report, namely by 22nd 
April 2014. I, the coroner, may extend this period.  

Your response must contain details of action taken or proposed to be taken, setting out the timetable for 
action. Otherwise you must explain why no action is proposed.  

8 

COPIES and PUBLICATION 

I  have  sent  a  copy  of  my  report  to  the  following  Interested  Persons: 

 who may find it useful or of interest.  

I am also under a duty to send the Chief Coroner a copy of your response. 

The Chief Coroner may publish either or both in a complete or redacted or summary form. He may send 
a  copy  of  this  report  to  any  person  who  he  believes  may  find  it  useful  or  of  interest  You  may  make 
representations to me, the coroner, at the time of your response, about the release or the publication of 
your response by the Chief Coroner. 

9 

DATE:                                                      SIGNED:  

RT3872

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