A DOCTOR at an inquest into a man’s death following a procedure to remove his gall bladder agreed that the medical notes recorded at the hospital in relation to his case were “inadequate”.
William Melia (80) of Rathmolyon, Enfield, Co Meath, was extremely unwell upon transfer to Connolly l Hospital, Blanchardstown, Dublin, on May 13th, 2010, from Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan.
Melia, who was described as a man of “exceptional health”, had been admitted to the hospital more than a week earlier and diagnosed with an inflamed gallbladder with gangrene, Dublin County Coroner’s Court was told.
Keyhole surgery was performed at the hospital to remove his gall bladder on May 11th.
The inquest heard there were no medical notes in relation to Melia for up to six days of his stay at the hospital, between May 7th and May 12th. But there were nursing notes for that period.
Dr Frank Cunningham said it was a “matter of great regret to him” that there was a “gap” (in the medical notes) of between four to five days. The surgeon agreed with the solicitor for the Melia family that the notes were “inadequate”.
“It’s a policy we try to instil in people to keep good notes. Notes are made mostly by junior doctors, not consultants,” he said.
Dr Cunningham said the matter had been addressed at the hospital.
Melia, an avid Meath GAA supporter who was deeply involved in his local community and was a drummer in an old-time dance band, became unwell on May 13th and was transferred to Blanchardstown hospital, where he could have dialysis. He had surgery at the Dublin hospital in the early hours of May 14th, which revealed a bile leak as well as a small hole in the bile duct and colon. He made a significant improvement over time following surgery.
However, he developed severe abdominal pain on May 29th and had emergency surgery the following day. He died later that day.
Coroner Dr Kieran Geraghty recorded cause of death as multi-organ failure due to pneumonia, inflammation of the pancreas and renal failure, caused by inflammation of the gallbladder and lack of blood supply to the bowel.
He said the court had not heard any convincing evidence that anything could have been done or should have been done that would have changed the outcome.
He recorded a verdict of natural death.