Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2017

Kevin Mann

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2017-0190, written 15 Jun 2017. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report15 Jun 2017
Reference2017-0190
DeceasedKevin Mann
CoronerNadia Persaud
Coroner areaEast London
CategoryHospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths
Sourcejudiciary.uk record · original PDF
Responses published1

The report

Text recovered by OCR from a scanned PDF. OCR is imperfect: check anything you rely on against the source PDF. Reproduced verbatim, including the scan's own layout.

REGULATION 28: REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS
THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO:
1. Matthew Hopkins, Chief Executive, Barking, Havering & Redbridge

University Hospitals NHS Trust. Executive Offices, Queens Hospital, Rom
Valley Way, Romford, Essex, RM7 0AG.

1 | CORONER

| am Nadia Persaud, Senior Coroner for the Coroner Area of East London

2 | CORONER’S LEGAL POWERS

| 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.
http://www. legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/1629/part/7/made

3 | INVESTIGATION and INQUEST

On the 14" September 2016 an investigation commenced into the death of Mr Kevin
George Mann. The conclusion of the Inquest was a narrative conclusion:

Mr Mann underwent a necessary surgical procedure - Ivor Lewis surgery- on 23 May
2016. He had a poor post-operative recovery, which required prolonged ventilation. On
27" May 2016 he developed a pneumothorax. On the 27" May 2016 he also underwent
a Visipaque contrast study. He should not have undergone the Visipaque procedure at
that time, due to the pneumothorax. During the course of the Visipaque procedure,
contrast entered the left main bronchus. Both the post-operative complication of
pneumothorax and the entry of contrast material into the left main bronchus led to a
deterioration in his respiratory state, from which he did not recover.

4 | CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH

Mr Mann underwent an Ivor Lewis procedure for oesophageal cancer on the 234 May
2016. On the 27" May 2016 reduced entry into the left side of his chest was noted and
an x-ray confirmed a large left sided pneumothorax. The surgical team requested a
further chest x-ray at 2:30 pm. The consultant surgeon confirmed that this should have
been carried out prior to the Visipaque procedure. The chest xray was not carried out
and the Visipaque procedure took place at around 16:10 on the a7" May 2016. The
independent radiology expert confirmed that from the very first image available to the
radiologist, the left pneumothorax was apparent. The radiologist should not have
commenced the swallow procedure. The procedure was commenced and contrast
material was seen to enter the left main bronchus. Despite this, the procedure
continued and further contrast material is seen entering the left lung. Following the
procedure there was a clinical deterioration in Mr Mann’s respiratory condition.

On the 28" May 2016 Mr Mann suffered a further deterioration in his clinical condition
and required re-intubation and ventilation. From this time there was no significant or
sustained recovery. He passed away in Queens Hospital on the 7" September 2016.
The cause of death was found to be 1a: Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome 1b:
chemical pneumonitis and pneumothorax and 1c: Oesophageal Carcinoma (Ivor Lewis

procedure).

CORONER’S CONCERNS
During the course of the Inquest evidence gave rise to the following matters of concern:-

1. An independent radiology expert confirmed that the left pneumothorax was
clearly apparent from the imaging, prior to the swallow commencing. The
independent expert, consultant surgeon and consultant intensivist all agreed
that the procedure should not have been carried out, in light of the
pneumothorax.

2. The radiologist who performed the procedure did not check the radiology system
prior to commencing the swallow procedure. Had she checked the system she
would have seen the x-ray taken at 12:37 showing the large left pneumothorax.
She would also have seen the outstanding request for a chest xray.

Both the independent radiology expert and the Trust radiology witness (Dr G),
confirmed that recent radiology should be checked by the radiologist prior to
performing this procedure.

3. The radiologist continued with the procedure after becoming aware of the
passage of contrast material into the left main bronchus. The consultant
surgeon and independent radiologist confirmed that the procedure should have
been abandoned at that stage.

4, There was no documentation available within the records of the amount of
contrast handed to Mr Mann or the amount of contrast ingested by him.

5. The policy in place regarding the Visipaque procedure does not require
documentation of the amount of contrast material used, or for preliminary
checks to be undertaken. The incident occurred over a year ago. Despite clear
concerns being raised by the Consultant surgeon on 27 May 2016, there had
been no adequate review of the Visipaque procedure policy, by the date of the
Inquest hearing.

ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and | believe you have the
power to take such action.

YOUR RESPONSE

You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the date of this report,
namely 10 August 2017. |, the coroner, may extend the 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.

COPIES and PUBLICATION

| have sent a copy of my report to the Chief Coroner and to ENN the CQC
and the Director of Public Health, (Mr Mathew Cole).
| 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.

IDATE] 1¢.6- 17) [SIGNED sr coroners <4) —_

Responses

1 response published against this report on judiciary.uk. A response is a body's written reply to the coroner's concerns; publication is at the discretion of the Chief Coroner's office, so an absent response does not mean nobody replied.

Response from Barking Havering and Redbridge NHS Trust (PDF)
Barking, Havering and Redbridge INHS|
University Hospitals

NHS Trust
PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL Queen's Hospital
Her Majesty’s Senior Coroner Rom Valley Way, Romford, Essex RM7 OAG
Walthamstow Coroner’s Court .
Queen’s Road . www.bhrhospitals.nhs.uk
E17 8QP W @BHR_hospitals

Date: 9 August 2017
Our ref: 0319

Trust Response to Regulation 28 Report

Dear Madam
Kevin George Mann

In Response to the Regulation 28 Report you made at the conclusion of the inquest into the above-
named’s death on 15 June 2017, please find herewith the Trust’s Response.

Brief Background

Mr Mann underwent an Ivor Lewis procedure for oesophageal cancer on 23 May 2016. On the 27"
May 2016 reduced entry into the left side of his chest was noted and an x-ray confirmed a large left-
sided pneumothorax. The surgical team requested a further chest x-ray at 2:30pm. The consultant
surgeon confirmed that this should have been carried out prior to the Visipaque procedure. The chest x-
ray was not carried out and the Visipaque procedure took place at 16:10 on 27" May 2016. The
independent radiology expert confirmed that from the very first image available to the radiologist, the
left pneumothorax was apparent. The radiologist should not have commenced the swallow procedure.
The procedure was commenced and contrast material was seen to enter the left main bronchus. Despite
this, the procedure continued and further contrast material is seen entering the left lung. Following the
procedure there was a clinical deterioration in Mr Mann’s respiratory condition.

On the 28°" May 2016 Mr Mann suffered a further deterioration in his clinical condition and required re-
intubation and ventilation. From this time there was no significant or sustained recovery. He passed
away at Queens Hospital on the 7 September 2016. The cause of death was found to be 1a: Acute
Respiratory Distress Syndrome 1b: Chemical Pneumonitis and Pneumothorax 1c: Oesophageal
Carcinoma (Ivor Lewis procedure).

Coroner’s Concerns

1. An independent radiology expert confirmed that the left pneumothorax was clearly apparent

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Chair: Dr Maureen Dalziel MD MBChB FFPH Chief Executive: Matthew Hopkins

from the imaging, prior to the swallow commencing. The independent expert, consultant
surgeon and consultant intensivist all agreed that the procedure should not have been carried
out, in light of the pneumothorax.

2. The radiologist who performed the procedure did not check the radiology system prior to
commencing the swallow procedure. Had she checked the system she would have seen the x-ray
taken at 12:37 showing a large left pneumothorax. She would also have seen the outstanding
request for a chest x-ray. Both the independent radiology expert and the Trust’s radiology
witness (Dr G) confirmed that recent radiology should be checked by the radiologist prior ti
performing this procedure.

3. The radiologist continued with the procedure after becoming aware of the passage of contrast
material into the left main bronchus. The consultant surgeon and independent radiologist
confirmed that the procedure should have been abandoned at that stage.

4. There was no documentation available within the records of the amount of contrast handed to
Mr Mann or the amount of contrast ingested by him.

5. The policy in place regarding the Visipaque procedure does not require documentation of the
amount of contrast material used, or for preliminary checks to be undertaken. The incident
occurred over a year ago. Despite clear concerns being raised by the consultant surgeon on 27
May 2016, there had been no adequate review of the Visipaque procedure policy, by the date of
the inquest hearing.

Trust Response

The Trust accepts and acknowledges that there was clinical governance gap in relation to its Visipaque
procedures. Asa result of the Regulation 28 report made in this case, the Trust has undertaken reflection on
issues raised in this case and has gained insight on the lessons to be learned.

The Trust’s Radiology Department has carried out an audit of Visipaque Swallows from May 2016 — June 2017
and will conduct a further audit three months after the revised Protocol (attached) has come into use to ensure
understanding and compliance. If any issues are identified by the audit, the staff concerned will have 1:1
conversations with one of the Clinical Leads for Radiology and be required to undergo an observed procedure for
assurance of skill.

The updated protocol also recognizes the need for specific informed consent to be obtained from the
patient prior to Radiology procedures being undertaken. Obtaining such consent is in line with guidance
from the GMC, the Department of Health and is usually part of any NHS Trust’s consent policy. Whilst
the Referring clinician (recommending the scan) has overall responsibility for the patient and has the
most accurate clinical information on the patient, the Protocol provides communication guidelines
between the Radiologist and the Referring clinician in order that any underlying pathology or existing
comorbidities which may have a significant contrast risk can be noted and discussed, for the best clinical
management of the patient prior to any radiology investigations being conducted.

Patients will be continuously monitored when presenting for Visipaque swallow investigations —

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whether they are inpatients or outpatients and should any questions arise from the patient on the day of the
scan or x-ray, appropriate clinicians will be available to answer those questions.

| trust the above Response, with attached Protocol addresses your concerns. If | can be of any further
assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Medical Director.

SIs SAFETY UCL Fartners suoxenice +

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Chair: Dr Maureen Dalziel MD MBChB FFPH Chief Executive: Matthew Hopkins

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