‘Chaotic’ scenes in ED

Hospital doctor breaks down during evidence into death of patient

THE registrar of the Emergency Department where a woman died from a drug overdose has told of the “very busy” and “chaotic environment” at ground zero of the Gold Coast University Hospital.

Dr Rachel Atkins sobbed when giving evidence at a coronial inquest into the 2014 death of Renae Jean Mann, 43, who died almost 24 hours after it is believed she took an overdose of prescription medication.

The court heard Dr Atkins was considered “a damn good doctor” in the ED and was thus “frequently distracted” and “interrupted constantly” from her own tasks by nurses and other staff seeking her advice on patients in their care.

Dr Atkins said the management of beds in the hospital was “always an issue” but that it was not a factor in the medical decision to move Ms Mann out of the acute care section of the ED to be assessed by mental health staff.

“I don’t move patients I’m concerned about into lower monitored areas – I don’t care what the bed situation is,” she said.

Dr Atkins said Ms Mann had remained stable and improving at the expected rate throughout the night shift she had worked.

“We were looking at least 12 hours, probably closer to 22 hours since ingestion,” the doctor said.

“I had seen her push herself up out of bed and have a drink of water.”

The court heard the ED was preparing for the arrival of a seriously hurt motorbike crash victim when Ms Mann was moved by wheelchair out of the acute care pod.

“It was just so busy in there,” Dr Atkins said, breaking down.

“I’ve been brought up in the Gold Coast ED to support each other and have tried in a very chaotic environment not to miss things.”

The court heard Ms Mann was “tearful” and concerned when registered nurse Jerusha Morris told her she was to be moved for a mental health assessment.

At the inquest, Ms Morris said her patient was “distressed” and said “I’d never have done that” when told she had overdosed. Ms Morris said another nurse had earlier told her Ms Mann could be moved to the mental health unit, and that she’d run that past Dr Atkins before preparing her for transfer.

“I looked for her clothes, but I couldn’t find them anywhere,” she said.

“She was emotional. She said ‘I shouldn’t go there because I’m not mental’.”

The inquest continues today.