Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2015

Joyce Tozer

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, written 15 Dec 2015. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report15 Dec 2015
DeceasedJoyce Tozer
CoronerEmma Brown
Coroner areaBirmingham and Solihull
CategoryHospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths
Sourcejudiciary.uk record · original PDF
Responses publishednone published

The report

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REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO: University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

CORONER

lam Emma Brown Area Coroner for Birmingham and Solihull

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.

INVESTIGATION and INQUEST

On 26" june 2015 | commenced an investigation into the death of Joyce Beatrice TOZER. The
investigation concluded at the end of the inquest 8th December 2015. The conclusion of the inquest was
that the deceased passed away at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham on the 12th June 2015 as a
result of a reaction to contrast material injected during an interventional radiology procedure to insert
bilateral nephrostomies. It has not been possible to determine whether the reaction was due to an
allergic response or a response to the toxicity of the 100ml dose of omnipaque contrast solution given.
The need for bilateral nephrostomies was to manage urinary leak from a conduit anastomosis placed
during radical surgery on the 27th May 2015 to treat recurrent anal cancer.

The medical cause of death was:
1(a) Reaction to the administration of ominpaque contrast solution
2 Recent Surgeries for the treatment and management of anal cancer.

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH

As a consequence of urostomy leakage following surgery on the 27th May 2015 Mrs. Tozer required
bilateral nephrostomies. During the interventional radiology procedure to place the nephrostomies on
the 12th June 2015 Mrs. Tozer remained stable until minutes after the injection through her central line
of a 100ml dose of omnipaque at which time her condition deteriorated dramatically leading to cardiac
arrest from which she could not be resuscitated.

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 will occur unless action fs taken. In the circumstances it is my statutory
duty to report to you.

The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows. —

(1) Consultant anaesthetist for the procedure on the 12" june 2015, gave evidence that since
Mrs. Tozer’s death, he has become concerned that the dose of 100ml omnipaque record in the notes as
being administered by the radiologist minutes before Mrs. Tozer’s sudden deterioration was well in
excess of the dose recommended by the manufacturer of omnipaque (iml/kg) especially as it was being
administered through a central line rather than peripheral venous access. At this time Mrs. Tozer’s
weight was 52kg §EEEBtated that he was concerned that the administration of a hypertonic solution at
this dose into a central line may have affected Mrs. Tozer’s heart rhythm although there was no way he
could give an opinion as to whether it was the likely cause of her deterioration and death as the
presentation of toxicity cannot be distinguished from an anaphylactoid reaction EEMeave evidence
that having made enquiries about the dose wit Lead Interventional Radiologist at the Trust,
he has been told that a 100m! dose is often used. | am concerned that doses of omnipaque well in excess

of the manufacturer’s guidelines are frequently administered, sometimes through central lines, and this
practice could be exposing interventional radiology patients to risks from toxicity.

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 by 10
February 2016. 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.

COPIES and PUBLICATION

| have sent a copy of my report to the Chief Coroner and to the following Interested Persons Ail
(next of kin).

1am 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 senda
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.

Emma Brown Area Coroner Birmingham and Solihull
15/12/2015

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