Pregnant woman's family feel ‘haunted’ by delay in sepsis treatment
Leona Cusack (née Kirwan) Ballycasey, Shannon, Co Clare, died at University Hospital Limerick in February of last year.
An inquest into the death of a woman at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) after a miscarriage has heard her family are “haunted” by fears suspected sepsis was not quickly acted upon.
Sobs echoed through Kilmallock Courthouse on Wednesday as Leona Cusack’s husband and relatives listened to details of her death on February 18, 2024.
Coroner John McNamara heard evidence from the family, healthcare workers at University Maternity Hospital Limerick, and UHL.
Ms Cusack, aged 33, from Ballycasey in Shannon, Co Clare, was just over five weeks pregnant following IVF when she came to the maternity hospital in the early hours of February 15.
Her husband Conor told the court she was very unwell. She was given tests — including two ECGs to check her heart.
He said she was told to return to the hospital on February 17, but the hospital later asked them to return on February 16 for further tests.
The couple thought Ms Cusack was to be admitted that day. However, he said they overheard discussion about bed shortages and were told they could leave.
Suhaib Akhtar Birmani, at University Maternity Hospital Limerick, said he was concerned about possibilities including ectopic pregnancy and sepsis.
Dr Birmani He asked for a sepsis protocol to be started. The court heard Ms Cusack was not given a broad spectrum antibiotic that day. He recommended she be admitted.
When solicitor for the family Damien Tansey queried this, he said he had not changed his request. He said: “I thought she was in the hospital, she is safe.”
The couple returned to the maternity hospital very early on Saturday, September 17.
Ms Cusack was transferred by ambulance later that morning to UHL due to concerns about her heart and following consultation with the UHL cardiology unit. It was later confirmed at UHL she had also suffered a miscarriage.
Mr Tansey asked Dr Birmani about sepsis, saying: “It is haunting the family.” He added:
Ms Cusack’s sister, Rachael Kirwin, said she is an advanced nurse practitioner in Scotland. She was home for their father’s 60th birthday.
She recalled being told by UHL consultant cardiologist Cormac O’ Connor that her sister’s heart was “as strong as a lion”, and that her sister could shadowbox in the hospital room.
Medical witnesses gave evidence a broad spectrum antibiotic was not given until 4pm on February 17.
The court heard that Ms Cusack was transferred to the intensive care unit in UHL. She was brought to theatre for a procedure. Theatre nurse Sara Khankashi gave evidence of efforts to save Ms Cusack’s life but, despite this, Ms Cusack died.
The inquest is to continue on Thursday.
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