This article is from page 56 of the 2013-03-26 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 56 JPG
NEW procedures aimed at reducing the risk of residents choking on food have been implemented at Kilrush District Hospital, an inquest has heard.
A full review of supervision at the hospital took place following the sudden death of Bridget Griffin (86) at the hospital on November 17, 2012.
Ms Griffin, a resident of the hospital for two years, died after choking on a piece of chicken, an inquest into her death heard yesterday.
Originally from Labasheeda, Ms Griffin lived in Kildysart prior to becoming a resident of the hospital.
An autopsy found that cause of death was asphyxia due to choking. A verdict of death by misadventure was returned at Clare County Coroner’s Court.
The inquest heard that Ms Griffin was served a dinner of chicken, vegetables, soup and a glass of milk on the day.
Care assistant Singiata Kuckauskaik stated in a deposition that cut the chicken into pieces for Mr Griffin. She said that Ms Griffin declined an offer to cut the chicken into smaller pieces.
Another hospital witness told the inquest the chicken had been cut into “reasonable” pieces.
The inquest heard that Ms Griffin did not like gravy so staff always ensured she always had plenty to drink.
Ms Kuckauskaik returned to check on Ms Griffin at 12.55 and found her pale and unresponsive, the inquest heard.
The emergency services were called and nurses performed CPR for 45 minutes. A doctor pronounced Ms Griffin dead at the scene. Gardaí attended the hospital and the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) were informed of the incident.
Person in Charge, Tricia Joy, told the inquest that Ms Griffin underwent a procedure to have a lesion removed on the day before her death.
She said Ms Griffin underwent a full choking assessment on her return to the hospital. She was found to have a low risk of choking, the in- quest heard.
Ms Joy stated that reducing the risk of choking had been on the hospital’s agenda for the monthly quality, risk management and safety meeting since May 2012.
Ms Joy stated, “Significant changes involving the reallocation of staff have occurred to ensure that every communal room is supervised by at least two members of staff. Provisions have been made to ensure that residents assessed as being medium or high risk of choking are facilitated to eat in their room if they wish, under direct supervision of staff.”
A number of recommendations were made and implemented at the hospital following Ms Griffin’s death, the inquest heard.
These included the replacement of chicken fillets for chicken stew; mashing of vegetables using an electric mixer; full menu analysis; and the inclusion of a full choking risk assessment in every resident’s care plan.
Nurses are no longer allowed to leave the floor they are assigned to until every resident has completed their meal.
County Cororner Isobel O’Dea said she was happy that all safety procedures were carried as best as possible on the day. She returned a verdict of death by misadventure and expressed sympathy with the Griffin family. Insp John Galvin expressed sympathy on behalf of the gardaí to the family.