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Sepsis Delay: Boy's Death Questioned at Hospital
17 Dec
Summary
- Boy died from Invasive Group A Strep infection leading to sepsis.
- Antibiotics were not administered until late in the day.
- Hospital sepsis screening tools were not utilized appropriately.
An inquest in Wakefield found that a five-year-old boy, Edward Jones, should have received antibiotics sooner at Leeds General Infirmary. Edward was admitted on February 18, 2023, with severe pain and sadly passed away before midnight due to Invasive Group A Strep, which led to sepsis. Discussions about sepsis occurred, but the administration of antibiotics was delayed until 20:30 GMT.
The jury was informed that critical tests were not performed because Edward's temperature was normal due to prior paracetamol use. The hospital trust acknowledged that earlier antibiotic administration was unlikely to cause harm and might have prevented cardiac arrest, though his death's preventability remained unclear. The trust's sepsis screening tool was not used.
Coroner Oliver Longstaff noted the absence of national sepsis screening rules for pediatric departments, calling for action. He conveyed his sincere condolences to Edward's family for their profound loss. The inquest concluded with a narrative verdict, emphasizing the circumstances surrounding the boy's death and the need for improved hospital protocols.
