Leonard Massey: verdict death by natural causes

HOSPITAL chiefs have made key changes to the way they deal with patients after a York man died following an operation.

Leonard Massey, of Dunnington, near York, died in December 2006 - two days after surgery to correct a failed hip replacement operation at York Hospital.

An inquest yesterday heard how the 78-year-old former newsagent died of entirely natural causes after developing post-operative heart problems (myocardial ischemia).

But questions were raised over whether he may have survived if hospital staff had taken the decision to transfer him to intensive care earlier.

York coroner Donald Coverdale said: "The operation it would seem went satisfactorily as far as the surgeon was concerned.

"But then there was the problem with Mr Massey's blood pressure, which during the post-operative recovery period fell and never recovered.

"It was obviously some number of hours before he was referred to the intensive care unit (ICU) for specialist care from the consultant anaesthetist and her team.

"However, it is not possible to say with any certainty whether the outcome for Mr Massey would have been any different had the time of his treatment and referral to ICU been any different."

A "serious untoward investigation report" was produced by hospital bosses in the wake of Mr Massey's death.

The inquest heard how this highlighted certain areas for improvement.

Mr Coverdale said: "It is encouraging to see that a very serious view has been taken of the review of procedures to see if anything can be improved in terms of dealing with circumstances of this nature.

"There are four recommendations set out in the report and that can only be helpful for patients in the future."

Changes that have been made include the introduction of new discharge criteria from the post-operative care unit.

If a patient's blood pressure is unstable for more than two hours, he or she will be considered for transfer to critical care.

Anaesthetists will also be given more information about the patient's medical history prior to the operation to help them to better assess a patient's needs.

Mr Massey, who suffered from diabetes and osteoarthritis, also had a history of acute coronary syndrome and renal failure.

His son Carl, who lives in Sheriff Hutton, said he was satisfied with the coroner's verdict of natural causes.

He said: "With my father's medical history, it would have been a very minute chance that an earlier transfer to intensive care would have made a difference.

"But I'm pleased that some changes have been made in procedures as a result of the investigation. They might not have helped my dad, but they may well save another patient's life."

9:11am Friday 28th March 2008

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