Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2018

Sufia Begum

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, written 19 Sep 2018. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report19 Sep 2018
DeceasedSufia Begum
CoronerLouise Hunt
Coroner areaBirmingham and Solihull
CategoryCommunity health care and emergency services related deaths
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. NHS England
2. Clinical Commission Group
1 CORONER
I am Louise Hunt Senior Coroner for Birmingham and Solihull
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 26/04/2018 I commenced an investigation into the death of Sufia Begum. The investigation
concluded at the end of an inquest on 20th August 2018. The conclusion of the inquest was:‐
Died from an unrecognised adverse drug interaction.
4 CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH
The deceased was admitted to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham on 14/04/18 suffering from
vomiting, confusion and generalised weakness. She had previously been treated at City Hospital for
exacerbation of asthma from 07/04/18 – 09/04/18 and had been prescribed clarithromycin. Tests at the
Queen Elizabeth Hospital confirmed she was suffering from an accumulation of verapamil (a calcium
channel blocker drug she was already taking) caused by the prescription of clarithromycin which inhibits
the enzyme which breaks down verapamil. It had not been recognised at the time that verapamil
interacts with clarithromycin. Despite treatment she died on 24/04/18.
Based on information from the Deceased’s treating clinicians the medical cause of death was determined
to be:
MULTIORGAN FAILURE
CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKER TOXICITY
ATRIAL FIBRILLATION
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 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. I heard evidence at the inquest that the most useful tool to identify potential drug interactions
was the BNF mobile device APP. The author of the RCA confirmed that not all doctors were
aware of the APP. An alert to all NHS Trusts and GPs would provide this valuable information
which may prevent a future death from an unknown drug interaction.
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 15th
November 2018. 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 the following Interested Persons :‐
The family and Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals Trust. I have also sent it to CQC and Healthcare
safety investigation branch 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 19/09/2018
Signature
Louise Hunt
Senior Coroner
Birmingham and Solihull

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