THE FAMILY of a woman with Down syndrome has expressed concern about her treatment in a Dublin hospital.
Veronica Murray (38), Ventry Road, Cabra, Dublin, died at the Mater hospital on December 12th, 2008. Her sister Karen Kelly expressed concern yesterday at an inquest into Ms Murray’s death that Veronica, who underwent a procedure at the hospital on December 4th, and who was administered heparin to prevent clots, was not taken out of bed.
“She was never moved,” she said from the body of the court.
Dublin City Coroner’s Court heard that because Ms Murray was immobile in hospital she was vulnerable to developing a deep vein thrombosis and a pulmonary embolus (blood clot in her lungs).
The inquest heard Ms Murray underwent a procedure at the Mater hospital to widen a valve at the outlet of her stomach under anaesthetic on December 4th, 2008. After some complications she seemed to be recovering but died suddenly on December 12th.
“It was a shock to everybody that she passed away,” said Dr Barry Kelleher.
Responding to a query by another family member as to whether Veronica would have developed a blood clot if she had been out of bed, Dr Kelleher said “It would have lessened the risk of developing a clot, but it would not have eliminated it,” he said.
The coroner adjourned the inquest at the request of the family, who want to hear from other doctors at the hospital.