Background of the Case
A coronial inquest is currently underway to examine whether an aged care facility in Adelaide’s inner north provided appropriate care for a 79-year-old man with dementia who developed bed sores in the weeks leading up to his death. John Michael Henry Allen passed away on September 9, 2022, at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, with the cause of death listed as advanced Alzheimer’s dementia alongside a history of pressure sores.
The inquest was initiated in South Australia’s Coroners Court on Tuesday. Counsel assisting the coroner, Rebecca Schell, outlined the key areas of focus. She explained that the investigation would look into whether the treatment of Mr. Allen’s bed sores from July to August 2022 was “appropriate and reasonable.” Additionally, the inquest will assess whether his death could have been prevented if the aged care facility had managed his condition differently.
Details of Mr. Allen’s Stay at Bupa Enfield
Mr. Allen was diagnosed with advanced Alzheimer’s in 2016 and resided at the Bupa Enfield aged care facility from 2019 until his death. Ms. Schell stated that his daughter raised concerns about his mobility and ability to interact, which led to his transfer to the Royal Adelaide Hospital on August 21, 2022.
Upon admission, medical staff identified a “5-centimetre necrotic lesion” on his buttocks and a “stage three” ulcer on his foot. He was treated with intravenous antibiotics, regular wound dressings, and two-hourly pressure area care. However, his stay was complicated by rapid atrial fibrillation, poor oral intake, and resistance to care. Following discussions with a family member, the decision was made to stop oral antibiotics, while other medications and wound care continued in hopes of stabilizing his condition.
Decline in Health and Transition to Palliative Care
Despite these efforts, Mr. Allen’s oral intake continued to decline, leading to clinical dehydration. As a result, he was transferred to palliative care on September 1, 2022. Before his passing, it was noted that staff at Bupa Enfield had addressed his sores by dressing them and, at one point, administered antibiotics. They also took photographs of the sores on multiple occasions as part of their standard practice.
Testimonies from Medical Staff
Registered nurse Dipender Shahi, who worked at Bupa Enfield, described Mr. Allen as non-verbal due to his Alzheimer’s disease. He explained that he created wound management plans for Mr. Allen and assessed his pain through observing his expressions and body language. Mr. Shahi noted that Mr. Allen was resistant to some aspects of his care.
Another registered nurse, Amritdeep Kaur, observed a pressure sore on Mr. Allen’s foot on August 20, 2022. She believed the sore caused him discomfort based on his body language. Ms. Kaur reported that she recommended a general practitioner assess the sore, as they visited the facility three times a week. She also advised staff to reposition Mr. Allen every two hours.
Inquest Timeline
The inquest is expected to last four days, during which further evidence and testimonies will be presented. The findings will help determine whether the care provided met the necessary standards and whether any changes could have potentially altered the outcome.
