A NURSE yesterday told an inquest that a member of the emergency services queried why a doctor had not commenced cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on an elderly patient who collapsed at a Dublin nursing home.
Margaret Comiskey, clinical nurse manager at the nursing home, Leopardstown Park Hospital, was giving evidence at an inquest into the death of Owen Carthy (88), of Pugin House, Loreto Abbey, Rathfarnham, who was a respite patient at the home.
Mr Carthy was returning to his room at about 12.40pm on February 5th, 2007, after eating dinner, when he collapsed suddenly, turning blue in colour.
Ms Comiskey, who was accompanying the patient to his room for administration of his nebuliser as he had become wheezy, immediately alerted the medical officer at the nursing home, Dr Joseph Hazbeck.
Dr Hazbeck told the court Mr Carthy was blue and unresponsive, but an examination revealed he was breathing and a pulse was present. He believed Mr Carthy was suffering an acute event such as a heart attack or a pulmonary embolism.
Mr Carthy was placed on his bed in the recovery position and oxygen was administered while Ms Comiskey called the emergency services at the doctor’s request.
Dr Hazbeck said he did not believe at any stage that Mr Carthy was choking. “If he was choking he would be coughing,” he said.
CPR is only commenced if the patient has stopped breathing and has no pulse, he said.
When the emergency services arrived Mr Carthy was placed on the floor and CPR was commenced. He was removed to St Vincent’s hospital where he died.
The coroner, Dr Brian Farrell, adjourned the inquest at Dublin City Coroner’s Court to a date in October to call other witnesses.