Pensioner died from blood clot weeks after surgery, inquest told

Coroner returns verdict of medical misadventure over death of John Hackett (71) in 2014

The inquest heard John Hackett collapsed and died at Clontarf hospital before he could be transferred to the Mater. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
The inquest heard John Hackett collapsed and died at Clontarf hospital before he could be transferred to the Mater. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

A verdict of medical misadventure has been returned at an inquest into the death of a man in Clontarf Orthopaedic Hospital in Dublin.

John Hackett (71) of Kildonan Avenue, Finglas West, Dublin died due to a blood clot four weeks after he underwent surgery at the Mater hospital on November 5th, 2014.

Speaking after the inquest, solicitor for the family Damien Tansey said that while Mr Hackett was on blood thinning medication in the Mater, this did not continue following his transfer to Clontarf Orthopaedic Hospital on November 14th.

The inquest heard Mr Hackett collapsed and died at Clontarf hospital before he could be transferred to the Mater.

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Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster said the chest pain experienced by Mr Hackett two days before his death on December 3rd, 2014, was consistent with an evolving embolism. The cause of death was a pulmonary embolism or blood clot.

Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane returned a verdict of medical misadventure, noting that due consideration should be given to multiple risk factors together with relative immobility when considering ongoing medication in such cases.