An autopsy could not be carried out on a man who had contracted MRSA as Dublin's Beaumont hospital had failed to inform the Dublin City Coroner in time, an inquest has heard.
Based on medical records, coroner Dr Brian Farrell concluded that Patrick Lyons (76), Furrypark Road, Killester, Dublin, died on June 3rd, 2006, as a result of acute renal failure and MRSA pneumonia.
Dublin City Coroner's Court heard yesterday that Mr Lyons had contracted MRSA at Dublin's Mater hospital in 1993 and it may never have cleared from his system.
"He died on Saturday 3rd and it was not reported for several days until the 7th. By the time we were informed I'm sure the family had the funeral, so no autopsy was possible," Dr Farrell said. "The hospital were offering to certify death. We indicated it should have been reported on the Saturday."
Brendan Lyons told the inquest that his father, who underwent a triple bypass in the past and suffered from angina and other medical complaints, was admitted to Beaumont on May 15th last after he cracked some ribs.
Dr Farrell said medical reports indicated that pneumonia was diagnosed and Mr Lyons chest was drained of 1.5 litres of bloodstained fluid. Further tests later confirmed MRSA, Dr Farrell said.
Mr Lyons said he was informed by nursing staff of his father's condition.
"A staff nurse pulled me aside and said he had been in contact with MRSA. I told them he had had it in the Mater.
"She said, 'that's nothing to do with us, it's a separate file'. I found that a bit odd."
Mr Lyons said his father's condition deteriorated in hospital and he was called in when his father had a "sudden collapse" on June 3rd. He died half an hour after his son arrived at the hospital.
Dr Farrell said it was impossible to say what caused the sudden collapse as no autopsy was carried out.
He recorded MRSA as "a factor" in death and returned a narrative verdict reflecting all the medical circumstances.
Beaumont said last night it regretted that the hospital had not been notified of the inquest and was therefore unable to ensure that the necessary information was provided.