Telford biopsy woman bled to death, inquest told
A woman bled to death after attending a routine biopsy appointment in hospital, an inquest was told.
Patricia Jean Powell died at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford after doctors took samples of a tumour on her lungs for testing.
The family criticised the hospital for not explaining the risks of the biopsy.
The inquest was told that, statistically, only one in 2,500 people died as a result of the procedure. But during the procedure, doctors took five samples of the tumour, which were to be sent off for testing in a laboratory.
But they disturbed a vessel or a blood clot, causing Mrs Powell to bleed uncontrollably.
The 77-year-old, from Donnington, went into cardiac arrest and staff were unable to revive her.
Shropshire coroner John Ellery described the episode as "rare", adding: "The deceased was one in 2,500 who bled to death – but there are 2,499 people who have benefited from this procedure."
Dr Masood Khalil , who carried out the procedure, explained in a statement that he and his staff did everything to stop the bleeding once it began.
He said: "Before we started the procedure Miss Powell was well and stable.
"Once we started the biopsy she was doing well, then when we took away a piece of the tumour she started bleeding.
"The bleeding did not stop, and she went into cardiac arrest.
"We then called for the cardiac arrest team who performed CPR for 45 minutes. She also had two units of blood transferred during that time, but despite our efforts she sadly passed away."
Dr Khalil said there was no way staff could have predicted the outcome of the procedure, and that he has never experienced it during his career.
The family highlighted that in the report given to the coroner it stated that someone had to leave to the room to telephone for the cardiac arrest team when Mrs Powell started bleeding.
They asked whether having a phone in the theatre room would have saved Mrs Powell's life.
Dr Koottalai Srinivasanwho was also present at the time of the biopsy, explained the telephone is kept just outside the theatre so not to disturb surgeons, but that the option of an emergency cord would be investigated.
He said a telephone would not have saved the pensioner's life because of the severity of the bleeding.
The coroner concluded that Mrs Powell, of Barclay Gardens, Wellington Road, Donnington, died due to a rare complication during a bronchoscopy procedure.
