AN ELDERLY woman tragically died after becoming trapped in a movable toilet due to care staff failing to use the proper equipment.
Gloria Linton, 77, became stuck when staff from Lifeway Care, a home care provider based in Leeds, failed to use a lifting device called a rotunda.
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A coroner’s report, published on December 2, revealed the Community Health Trust had previously noted staff often neglected to use the lifting device, despite recent reminders.
On August 6, 2022, two carers were helping Gloria in her wet room after she had used the toilet and showered.
Gloria, at the time, was using a commode, a movable piece of furniture that acts as a portable toilet.
When it was time to lift her off the toilet to dry and moisturise her, they did so manually.
As they attempted to reposition her on the commode, Gloria’s legs were placed at an awkward angle, causing both to slip through the seat’s gap and trapping her.
Gloria became stuck below her chest.
In the process of trying to free herself when emergency services arrived, Gloria fractured both ribcages.
Seventeen days later, on August 23, she passed away after developing pneumonia, as a direct result of the fractures she sustained during the incident.
The coroner wrote in the report: “Had the Rotunda been used to assist Gloria to sit, it is unlikely that she would have been placed on the commode seat at an angle such that her legs could have passed through the opening at the front of the commode seat.”
The report states: “The rib fractures were found at post mortem to have been a direct contributing cause of the pneumonia that was the immediate cause of Gloria’s death in hospital.”
The fractures were found to be the direct cause of the pneumonia that led to her death.
The care company has until January 27 to respond to the report.
Pneumonia: Everything you need to know
What is pneumonia?
Pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs which is usually caused by an infection such as flu, the common cold or other viruses.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms include a cough, shortness of breath, fever, chest pain, aches, fatigue, a loss of appetite, wheezing and feeling confused.
According to the NHS, most people get better in two to four weeks after a pneumonia diagnosis.
Who is at risk?
A number of groups can be at higher risk of developing serious chest infections.
These include babies and very young children, children with development problems, people who are very overweight, elderly people, pregnant women, people who smoke, and people with long-term health conditions.
How can you treat pneumonia?
Many people diagnosed with pneumonia will be given antibiotics to treat the condition.
Some people with chest infections can be prescribed steroids, which help open the airways in the lungs and make breathing easier.
