Elderly patient died after falling in Nursing Home
Thursday December 11 2008
AN ELDERLY WOMAN died almost two weeks after falling in the corridor of a nursing home, an inquest in Wexford heard.
Eileen Murray, aged 94, of Middletown Nursing Home in Courtown died in Wexford General Hospital on February 17 this year after being admitted on February 5.
Geraldine Lucey, a nurse in the nursing home, told the inquest that at about 5.30 p.m. on the evening of February 4, staff heard a noise in the corridor. They discovered that Ms. Murray had fallen. She appeared to have struck the back of her head. She was lucid and responsive. She was put to bed and regular observations were carried out. Nurse Lucey went off duty at 8.15 p.m. She heard that Ms. Murray had been removed to hospital later that night.
Ms. Murray's sister, Ms. May Finn of Gorey was asked if she had any questions to ask. She said she didn't receive word until 11.40 p.m. that she was going to hospital.
Ms. Lucey replied that there was a different nurse on at that stage.
Dr. Maurice Murphy, pathologist who carried out a post mortem examination said that in his opinion death was due to a combination of bronchial pneumonia with cerebral trauma as a result of a fall.
The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.
The Coroner, Jimmy Murphy joined with Garda Inspector Pat McDonald and the jury foreman, Johnny Roche in extending sympathy to Ms. Murray's family.
