Posted 25 March 2021 - 17:42
Posted 25 March 2021 - 17:42
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Staff satisfied with level of care given to nurse who died of COVID-19, inquest hears
Inquest into Mary Agyeiwaa Agyapong’s death is expected to conclude on 30 March
Inquest into Mary Agyeiwaa Agyapong’s death is expected to conclude on 30 March
Healthcare staff treating a heavily pregnant nurse who later died with COVID-19 after being admitted to hospital twice with symptoms were satisfied with the care provided to her, an inquest has heard.
Mary Agyeiwaa Agyapong died five days after giving birth
Mary Agyeiwaa Agyapong died on 12 April 2020, five days after giving birth to her second child by Caesarean section when she was nearly 36 weeks pregnant.
She initially attended Luton and Dunstable Hospital in Bedfordshire, where she worked, on 5 April after experiencing breathing problems and was later discharged with a course of antibiotics.
Ms Agyapong, who was 28, returned to the emergency department in the early hours of 7 April as her health worsened, and gave birth later that night.
She was then taken to intensive care after her oxygen dependency deepened, she began coughing regularly and her temperature rose.
Her condition deteriorated further and Ms Agyapong died before her husband, Paul Boateng, could get to the hospital to say goodbye.
Staff were content with the care and monitoring they gave
Staff who cared for the nurse told Bedfordshire and Luton Coroner’s Court they only received confirmation that Ms Agyapong tested positive for COVID-19 on 7 April – two days after she was originally swabbed when she first presented at hospital with symptoms.
The inquest also heard how there was a two-hour gap between a decision on 8 April to send Ms Agyapong to intensive care, and it actually happening.
But staff said they were content that adequate care had been given to Ms Agyapong, and that her condition was properly monitored throughout her time in hospital.
Coroner sees no pointers to systemic failures
Deborah Shaw, an intensive care consultant who saw Ms Agyapong the day after she gave birth, said: ‘I was very happy with the level of care she was getting.’
Muhammad Peerbhoy, a consultant physician who saw Ms Agyapong the same day, added: ‘In my opinion, I think the treatment was proportionate.’
Coroner Emma Whitting said she had not been pointed to any systemic failures at the hospital and suggested it may not be possible to conclude the circumstances in which Ms Agyapong contracted COVID-19.
The coroner is expected to deliver her conclusion on 30 March.
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