Fall from hospital bed led to death

A WOMAN died of a head injury following a fall at a private Dublin hospital where she was a patient, an inquest has heard.

Margaret White, 88, of Marino Park Avenue, Fairview, Dublin 3, was found lying at the foot of her bed at the Mater Private Hospital in the early hours of December 18, 2009.

There were cot sides present on her bed at the time and a call bell was within her reach.

Ms White, who was on the anti-clotting medication plavix, was examined by a doctor and neurological observations were carried out throughout the night.

Dublin City Coroner’s Court heard Mrs White’s level of consciousness deteriorated from 14 on the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) after the fall, to 11 at 6am.

A level of 15 on the Glasgow Coma Scale means a person is fully conscious.

A CT scan confirmed a brain bleed and she underwent a procedure to remove the subdural haemorrhage.

But she never regained consciousness and died eight days later on December 26.

Ms White had been in hospital for a total left knee replacement.

The anti-clotting medication and her age meant she was more susceptible to the bleed. Coroner Dr Brian Farrell recorded a verdict of accidental death.