Fern-Marie Choya
PFD Report
Historic (No Identified Response)
Ref: 2019-0281
Coroner's Concerns (AI summary)
The ambulance service failed to communicate crucial pregnancy information during hospital alerts and handover, causing significant delays in obstetric care and leading to inappropriate medical treatment.
View full coroner's concerns
_ 1_ The London Ambulance Service (LAS) emergency operations centre (EOC) made a pre hospital alert telephone call to the Whittington Hospital emergency department, regarding the expected arrival eight minutes later of patlent in respiratory arrest This was good practice. However, failed t0 include in that alert the information that Ms Choya was pregnant This was a crucial detail, which had been passed to the LAS at the very outset by her husband, and then again to the EOC by the emergency medical crew on scene. 2_ On arrival at the Whittington Hospital, the detail of the pregnancy was not communicated effectively: It is unclear whether the LAS crew did not mention the fact, or whether the emergency staff simply did not hear it: In any event, it took 16 minutes post arrival for the pregnancy to be recognised and the obstetric team to be called.
3. Without the obstetric team, the emergency department team focus was on the potential for a pulmonary embolism, and alteplase was given: Only later was a scan conducted and free fluid noted_ By the time of the laparotomy it was too late to save Ms Choya. ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN In my opinion, action should be taken to prevent future deaths and believe that you have the power to take such action. they
YOUR RESPONSE You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the date of this report; namely by 30 September 2019. 1, the coroner; may extend the period: response must contain details of action taken or proposed to be taken, setting out the timetable for action. Otherwise must explain why no action is proposed:
3. Without the obstetric team, the emergency department team focus was on the potential for a pulmonary embolism, and alteplase was given: Only later was a scan conducted and free fluid noted_ By the time of the laparotomy it was too late to save Ms Choya. ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN In my opinion, action should be taken to prevent future deaths and believe that you have the power to take such action. they
YOUR RESPONSE You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the date of this report; namely by 30 September 2019. 1, the coroner; may extend the period: response must contain details of action taken or proposed to be taken, setting out the timetable for action. Otherwise must explain why no action is proposed:
Sent To
- London Ambulance Service NHS Trust
- Whittington Health NHS Trust
Response Status
Linked responses
0 of 2
56-Day Deadline
13 Dec 2019
About PFD responses
Organisations named in PFD reports must respond within 56 days explaining what actions they are taking.
Source: Courts and Tribunals Judiciary
Report Sections
Investigation and Inquest
On March 2019, | commenced an investigation into the death of Fern - Marie Choya aged 40 years. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest yesterday: At inquest; made a narrative determination, copy Of which now enclose_ CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH
The medical cause of Ms Choya's death was: 1a hypovolaemic shock due to massive intra abdominal bleeding (emergency laparotomy on 25.02.19) 1b rupture of the abnormal gravid uterus monochorionic diamniotic pregnancy (18/40)
The medical cause of Ms Choya's death was: 1a hypovolaemic shock due to massive intra abdominal bleeding (emergency laparotomy on 25.02.19) 1b rupture of the abnormal gravid uterus monochorionic diamniotic pregnancy (18/40)
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Data sourced from Courts and Tribunals Judiciary under the Open Government Licence.