Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2022

Yvonne Rankin

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2022-0404, written 13 Dec 2022. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report13 Dec 2022
Reference2022-0404
DeceasedYvonne Rankin
CoronerRachel Knight
Coroner areaSouth Wales Central
CategoryHospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths · Wales prevention of future deaths reports (2019 onwards)
Sourcejudiciary.uk record · original PDF
Responses published2

The report

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

ANNEX A 

REGULATION 28:  REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS (1) 

NOTE: This form is to be used after an inquest. 

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS 

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO: 

1. Chief Executive, Cardiff and Vale UHB
2. Chief Executive, Abbott Nutrition

1 

CORONER 

I am Rachel Knight, Assistant Coroner, for the South Wales Central Area 

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 20th January 2021 I commenced an investigation into the death of Yvonne Dian 
Rankin, aged 68. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 6th December 
2022. The conclusion of the inquest was a narrative.  The cause of death was recorded 
as follows:  
1a. Septic Shock 
1b. Abdominal wall abscess at and below the PEG site (operated) 
1c. Squamous cell carcinoma right tonsil 
II: Type 2 diabetes 

4 

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 

Yvonne Rankin was aged 68 when she died at the University Hospital of Wales on 14th 
January 2021. 

Yvonne was suffering with throat cancer and undergoing radiotherapy. She had been 
fitted with a PEG to enable nutrition, medication and fluids to be administered. Despite 
good care of it, her PEG site became infected with bacteria and a fungal infection which 
was initially treated and improved. However, an infection returned, and Yvonne quickly 
developed sepsis. Sadly, despite extensive medical treatment she died. 

5 

CORONER’S CONCERNS 

During the course of the inquest the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern. In 
my opinion there is a risk that future deaths could 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) although family and Yvonne were told that they could refer any concerns to

various professionals including the Abbott nurse, they did not understand the
specific signs of sepsis to watch out for;

(2) had family understood the signs of sepsis, it is likely that they would have rung

1 

 999 much sooner; and 

(3)  It may be that patient/carer information cards setting out the common signs of 

sepsis already exists. Would it be possible to give out such information cards to 
patients/carers with PEGs and/or those with a known risk of infection who are in 
the community? 

6 

ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN 

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you have 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 7th February 2023. I, 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. 

8 

COPIES and PUBLICATION 

I have sent a copy of my report to the Chief Coroner and to family of Yvonne Rankin and 
her Abbott nurse, who may find it useful or of interest. 

I am also under a duty to send a copy of your response to the Chief Coroner and all 
interested persons who in my opinion should receive it.   

I may also send a copy of your response to any other person who I believe may find it 
useful or of interest.  

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. 

9 

DATE:          13.12.22    

Rachel Knight  
Assistant Coroner 

2

Responses

2 responses 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 Abbott Nutrition (PDF)
A880TT NUTIIITION 

Abbott Laboratories Lt<l 
,\bboll House 
Vnnwall llu~iness Pm-k 
Vnnwall Ru.id 
Maidcnht'ad $1.6 4XF.

a 

Abbott 

Private and Confidential 

Ms RKnight 
Assistant Coroner 
Coroner's Office 
The Old Courthouse 
Courthouse Street 
Pontypridd 
CF37LJW 

7 February 2023 

Dear Ms Knight 

Abbott response to Regulation 28 Report (ref: 323219) dated 13 December 2022 
(the "Regulation 28 Report") 

For clarity, the Abbott Nurse Advisor team is employed by CHASE and, on behalfofAbbott 
Laboratories Limited (Abbott), their role is to fulfil an enteral feeding nursing service. as 
part of an NHS Contract Specification. Abbott currently holds an enteral feeding contract 
with Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (Cardiffand Vale UHB). 

In accordance with the existing contract specification between Abbott and Cardiff and Vale 
UHB, the Abbott Nurse Advisors (the ANAs) are only permitted to issue patient information as 
authorised by Cardiff and Vale UHB. 

Abbott and Cardiff and Vale UHB reviewed how the requirements of the Regulation 28 
Report can be met and the following has been agreed between the parties on 3 February 
2023: 

Cardiff and Vale UHB have updated their current patient information provided to new 
patients with PEGs to include the signs of sepsis.  Document updated 30 January 
2023. 

WWW.ABBOTT.CO.UK 

 
 
 This updated information will be provided to patients and their family/carers by Cardiff and 
Vale UHB from 6 February 2023. The ANA team will carry a supply of this updated 
literature and ensure that any new patients they see have this information. If they do not, the 
ANA will supply this. We anticipate that this will be implemented by the ANA team by 1 
March 2023 (upon receipt from Cardiff and Vale UHB). 

Cardiff and Vale UHB will purchase Adult and Paediatric Symptom Cards (cards with the 
symptoms of sepsis). This information will be given to any patients who present with signs of 
an infection with copies shared with relevant family members/carers.  The ANA team will 
carry a supply of these cards (to be initially provided by Cardiff and Vale UHB) and ensure 
that they are shared if any patients present with signs of an infection. 

Adult and Paediatric Symptom Cards ordered by Cardiffand Vale UHB on 3 February 2023. We 
anticipate that this will be implemented by the ANA team by 1 March 2023 (upon receipt from 
Cardiff and Vale UHB). 

C 

Yours sincerely 

Healthcare Services Director 
Abbott Laboratories limited - Nutrition Division 

Cc: 
Chief Executive, Cardiff and Vale UHB 

Page 2of2
Response from Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (PDF)
Bwrdd lechyd Prifysgol

,-Q  GIG  Caerdydd a'r Fro 
oOo NHS 
' U--

Cardiff and Vale
Universit y Health Board

WALES 

Executive Headquarters /  Pencadlys Gweithredol

Woodland  House 
Maes-y-Coed Road 
Cardiff 
CF14 4HH 

Ty Coedtir 
Ffordd Maes-y-Coed 
Caerdydd
CF14 4HH 

Eich cyf/Your ref;  323219 
Em  cyf/Our ref:  SR·jb-0223-9937 
Welsh Health Telephone Network: 
Direct Line/Ulnell uniongychol :  029 21B3 6010 

3 February 2023 

Private and Confidential 
Ms  Rachel  Knight 
Assistant Coroner 
Coroner's Office 
The Old  Courthouse 
Courthouse Street 
Pontypridd 
CF371JW 

Dear Ms Knight 

Thank you  for your letter of 19 December 2022  received  on  29  December 2022,  in 
which  you  have  shared  the  Regulation  28 with  associated  actions for improvement 
following the inquest into the sad death of Ms YDR aged 68 who passed away on  14 
January 2021. 

I note that whilst the conclusion was narrative it is your view that some actions could 
be  taken  by  the  Health  Board  to  minimise  the  risk  of  future  deaths  in  similar 
circumstances. 

(_ 

From  your findings  it became evident that the family of the deceased  had  not been 
suitably  alerted  to the  signs  and  symptoms  of sepsis  and  if they  had  been  made 
aware of the "red flags" they may have contacted staff sooner. 

In  order  to  review 
the  pathway  of  communication  we  have  held  several 
multidisciplinary  meetings  to  consider  the  communication  provided  and  to  discuss 
where  improvements  could  be  made.  I  note that Abbott  will  respond  to  you  under 
separate cover. the  Health  Board and  Abbott have worked  together to consider the 
most appropriate improvements across the communication  pathway as people move 
through their journey of care. 

The  eCORFLO  booklet (Information  for patients,  relatives  and  carers,  Gastrostomy 
feeding  tube,  Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy) the patient is given at time  of 
the procedure has been updated to reference to sepsis (attached as Appendix One). 

People will also be given an additional information sheet if an  early discharge occurs 
(attached as Appendix Two).  The booklet and information sheet are in use. 

6wrdd lec:hyd  Pnfysgol Caerdydd ~·,  FtQi yw enw gweith~OI Bw vrdd l echyd U.al Psify'9ol CatrdyOd a'r lllro 
Drd1ff and Vale University Health Board i1, th•  opcratianal name of C:Jrdiff and Vale Unlve,,ity Local Healtll 8~rd 

C,oesawir y 9wtd<1~ lh yn G~ neu Sao$1H1P  ~n tiY"(J(Jwn yn cJlfa.lhr8'bu, chi yn elChdelol,U llHth  Ni fydd gohebu _yn Gymmog ynaou unfhywo«J, 

, ,,. Bo.d~fc:on-.~nc.,,, W.,rih o,r Engli.sh. W• w•~'""Wit.... oommurwc.e,~ it1 )'OINCIIOsM ' •~ - c«r..~nc• Ht Wfflll wilrrotWedlO. O.lay 

 
 
 
 In  addition, we are  considering suitable generic information  to be given both at time 
of procedure and  later in the  community we  are considering the SEPSIS awareness 
credit card  size information.  This will then  be able to  be used across wider areas,  it 
gives simple clear information and is a highly visible card. We care for approximately 
450  enterally  fed  patients  within  the  UHB  (not  all  with  gastrostomies)  so  dietetics 
would  purchase  these  so  they  could  be  issued  at initial discharge as well  as  in  the 
community when needed. 

Adult Symptom Cards I The UK Sepsis Trust 

The patient can keep this with them  and there is evidence that alert cards work quite 
effectively. 

We will  in addition  ensure  a sepsis  card  is also given  to  children  and  their parents. 
We  will  use  the  Paediatric  Symptom  Cards  I The  UK  Sepsis  Trust  to  promote 
awareness  of the  signs  and  symptoms  of children  who  are  developing  sepsis.  We
will commence use of the cards as soon as possible. 

r 

We  will  advise  the  other  Welsh  health  board  dietetic  teams  of  actions  taken  in 
response  to  the  Regulation  28 for  their  consideration  as  an  all  Wales  approach 
would be helpful. 

In  summary  Cardiff  and  Vale  UHB  will  update  the  current  patient  information 
provided to  new patients with  Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy to  include  the 
signs  of  sepsis.  This  updated  information  will  be  provided  to  patients  and  their 
family/carers by Cardiff and  Vale  UHB. The Abbott Nurse Advisors team will carry a 
supply of this updated  literature and ensure that any new patients they see have this 
information. If they do not, the Abbot Nurse Advisor will supply this. 

I  hope  that  this  information  is  helpful  and  offers  the  assurance  you  are  seeking 
regarding the improvements instigated to ensure patients and their families in  similar 
circumstances to Ms R will  be provided with the relevant information to consider the 
signs of sepsis at the earliest opportunity. 

Yours sincerely 

Chief Executive 

Encs: Appendices One and Two 

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