Coroner says MRSA a factor in man's death

THE FAMILY of a Dublin man who died in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, in 2006 welcomed a coroner’s verdict which said MRSA was a factor in his death.

James Anderson (74), Ardlea Road, Artane, Dublin, died on January 2nd, 2006, after falling and sustaining head injuries at his son’s home in November 2005.

Dublin city coroner Dr Brian Farrell was told Mr Anderson was initially admitted to Our Lady Of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. After he left hospital, he remained feeling unwell and visited his GP. He was admitted to Beaumont on November 9th where he was admitted to the care of the neurosurgical team.

A scan found he had a slowly accumulating brain haemorrhage, and he had surgery to evacuate the blood build-up.

Stephen Young, consultant neurosurgeon at Beaumont, said Mr Anderson had been on multiple medications when admitted, as he had heart problems, asthma and diabetes. Mr Anderson initially did well, but after a scan on December 9th a build-up of pus was found where the haemorrhage had occurred. A swab found “heavy growth of MRSA”, said Mr Young.

Antibiotics were given and Mr Anderson underwent two craniotomies to remove the pus. The MRSA was successfully treated. Mr Anderson deteriorated and was moved to intensive care.

Dr Farrell said there did not seem to be an explanation for Mr Anderson’s “downward spiral” from December 12th. He died on January 2nd.

Dr Francesca Brett, who carried out a postmortem on Mr Anderson, said she found he had “significant heart disease” and that the heart could not pump properly. “He died of multiple organ failure . . . He had had MRSA, but in my opinion it is not the cause of his death.”

Dr Farrell said there were a number of factors in the death. “I have found this a difficult and complex case,” he said.

Mr Anderson died of multiple organ failure as a result of a number of co-morbidities, including MRSA, he added. “The precise cause of death is not determined at the inquest,” he said.Speaking outside the court, his sons said they were “satisfied that MRSA was acknowledged”.