Grandad dies from sepsis following hip surgery

A MAN died in hospital from sepsis after a wound he had from surgery became infected, an inquest has heard.

Alan James Phillips was taken to Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend on October 7 last year after he fell near his drive.

He broke his left leg and hip.

At the time of the fall, the 90-year-old had been getting out of a car after his daughter Alison Rose and son Rhys Phillips brought him home from a recent hospital trip.

The inquest heard how Mr Phillips, of Bridgend, likely tripped over a small lip between the pavement and layby.

Despite having an operation to help fix his leg, Mr Phillips died on October 20 after developing sepsis in his surgery wound.

Ms Rose described her father as appearing fit for his age despite having heart conditions and Type 2 diabetes.

She said he loved spending time with his grandchildren and going to the shops on his mobility scooter.

Senior coroner Graeme David Hughes told the inquest, which was held at Pontypridd coroner’s court: “Firstly, Alan fell on October 6, 2020, which was accidental and possibly due to fatigue [or] the weather... it was not intended.

“He sustained a fractured femur and humerus as a direct consequence of that accidental event. The surgery to fix his left hip was clinically indicated and necessary.”

Upon hearing evidence, Mr Hughes said Mr Phillips’ surgery did pose a risk of complications, but in his case it was exacerbated because of his age and medical history.

The inquest heard how medical staff started exploring the possibility that Mr Phillips had sepsis around October 19 after ulceration was discovered on his surgery wound.

Following this, he was treated with antibiotics and a wound wash. However, it was heard how the fatal infection might have been present days earlier around October 17.

Mr Hughes said: “I found that even if infection had been suspected on the afternoon of October 17, I am not satisfied that early antibiotic intervention would have altered the outcome for Alan. There were no causative failings in Alan’s treatment that contributed to his death. Alan has died as a consequence of necessary surgery.”

Mr Hughes reached a conclusion of accidental death, with the narrative: “The deceased died from the known complication of a necessary surgery following injuries sustained in a fall.”