Rosina Drury

PFD Report Historic (No Identified Response) Ref: 2015-0397
Date of Report 2 October 2015
Coroner Andrew Harris
Response Deadline est. 27 November 2015
Coroner's Concerns (AI summary)
The absence of a pre-operative orthogeriatric review for patients with femoral neck fractures risks inappropriate cemented hemiarthroplasty, potentially leading to fatal bone cement implantation syndrome.
View full coroner's concerns
the from

_ Does not having a pre-operative orthogeriatric review; recommended by an expert; risk that patients with high risk CO-morbidities sometimes have a cemented hemiarthroplasty, when an uncemented one would avoid mortality from bone cement implantation, for which there is no curative treatment and can be fatal? It is suggested that KCH NHS Foundation Trust may wish to review arrangements for pre-operative review of patients with sub-capital fractured neck of femur requiring fixation with a hemiarthroplasty.
Sent To
  • Kings College Hospital
Response Status
Linked responses 0 of 1
56-Day Deadline 27 Nov 2015
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 11th May 2015, opened an inquest into the death of: Rosina Drury, who died on 21st October 2013 in Kings College Hospital, Case Ref:_ Her medical cause of death was: 1a fat embolism 1b Bone cement implantation II Fractured right femur (operated): It was concluded that she died of unintended consequences of necessary medical treatment,
Circumstances of the Death
Evidence was heard that: The deceased had ischaemic heart disease (a myocardial infarct in 2009), atrial fibrillation (on Warfarin) , hypertension recentiy recovered chest infection and diabetes, but she was fit and although unsteady, independent She fell, fracturing her hip. A right hemia-rthroplasty was chosen and she died of a rare complication; Evidence was heard from the consultant orthopaedic surgeon that uncemented arthroplasties, that avoid fatalities from bone cement implantation, although an embolus is still possible), achieve less good pain control, result in slower mobilization and have a higher mortality at 30 days, The surgeon said that he did not choose the uncemented technique unless the patient was immobile. This remained the position even if there was a history of pulmonary embolus _ The expert opinion read, from identified that good practice in prevention was pre-operative review within four hours of admission by an orthogeriatrician;, to assess and manage multiple co-morbidities_ This did not happen in this case and only occurs if surgeon considers a referral was needed. It was also heard scientific literature that bone cement implantation should be avoided in high risk cases. She was reviewed prior to surgery by a consultant anaesthetist with appropriate seniority, another of recommendations.
Action Should Be Taken
In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and believe that the Trust has the power to take such action.
Related Inquiry Recommendations

Public inquiry recommendations addressing similar themes

Transfusion Committees and Tranexamic Acid - England
Infected Blood Inquiry
Inadequate Pre-Operative Risk Assessment
Tranexamic Acid - Scotland, Wales and NI
Infected Blood Inquiry
Inadequate Pre-Operative Risk Assessment
Reflection period for consent
Paterson Inquiry
Inadequate Pre-Operative Risk Assessment

Data sourced from Courts and Tribunals Judiciary under the Open Government Licence.