Staff shortages may have contributed to death of woman four days after surgery
Staff shortages on a hospital ward may have contributed toward the death of a 72-year-old woman's, an inquest has heard.
Dorothy Moule, from Quarry Bank, became ill following complications with a hernia operation and died four days later from multi-organ failure in Worcester Royal Hospital.
During a two-day inquest into her death, nurses claimed their concerns over Mrs Moule's deteriorating health had not been taken seriously.
The inquest at Stourport Coroners' Court also heard how results of a white blood cell test, which may have revealed an infection, had not been urgently chased after going missing.
Coroner Geraint Williams, reading out a narrative verdict, concluded Mrs Moule's death was a result of 'complications of an elective surgical procedure'.
He said the case showed there had been a shortage of staff during the weekend of Mrs Moule's death, adding too many junior doctors had been left to look after seriously ill patients.
He also strongly criticised doctors for a lack of detailed notes in Mrs Moule's charts.
He said: "I have not been able to examine the action of the clinicians over that weekend in terms of medical records because not one has made a single entry.
"It's a matter of extraordinary concern to this court clinicians do not make full and proper entries in the notes.
"It's a matter I have raised on many occasions and all doctors should know the importance.
"No doctor attended or saw Mrs Moule over that weekend, which I find completely unacceptable and it's something the trust needs to address as a matter of urgency."
Mr Williams said staff shortages and thin support staff at junior and senior level had also had an effect on the care given to Mrs Moule.
But he praised nurses who had cared for Mrs Moule for taking great concern over her welfare and informing senior figures about her deteriorating condition.
He said: "It's clear because of the pressure of work a number of clinicians did not realised Mrs Moule was as ill as she was."
Dr Graham James said a number of changes had been carried out at the hospital since Mrs Moule's death.
He said blood samples were chased up more quickly rather than waiting for further analysis to be carried out.
He added further training was also carried out on sepsis diagnosis and how to treat patients with deteriorating conditions.
Mrs Moule's daughter, Rachel Debeer, speaking on behalf of the family following the hearing, said their main frustration had been a lack of any apology from the trust following the death of her mother on October 14 last year.
She said: "Sometimes that's all it takes and even if it's not an admission of guilt it really goes a long way.
"Mum was fearful and had a massive distrust of the hospital.
"We didn't think we'd have to worry this time round and we still don't think the hospital will truly learn from its mistakes now."
