Alex's parents were too distressed to be interviewed, but conveyed to Four Corners the loss of their son had left them feeling that, to the hospital system, he was worth nothing. "I just wanted to send my condolences and I'm so sorry that it happened. While Broken Hill Hospital's deficiencies did not cause or contribute to Braes' death, the hospital's administration and the Far West Local Health District downgraded the severity classification of the incident. The local proceedings of inquest into the death of Broken Hill teenager Alex Braes has finished after hearing of a "distressing"hospital business rule, staffing resources and apologetic doctors. The inquest heard that a mandatory investigation into the cause of Alexs death was not carried out by Far West Local Health District for a year after he died. Ms Ryan said there had an been "extraordinarylack" of progress between NSW Health and SA Healthestablishinga formalised cross-border arrangement to transfer critically-ill patients from BrokenHill to Adelaide. In October 2021, 27-year-old Callum Jones was peacefully walking his dog when he sprained his ankle by slipping on a wooden bridge. There was an "extraordinary lack" of progress between NSW Health and SA Health in establishing a formalized cross-border arrangement to transfer critically-ill patients from Broken Hill to Adelaide, Ryan said. "I feel heartbroken that I still have my children and that you've lost your boy.". Deputy Coroner Ryan's findings also noted that whilethere were deficiencies in the care given to Mr Braes, theydid not cause or contribute to his death. Mr Braes died a little more than an hour after being admitted. She had a particular concern for newly graduated nurses assigned to care for non-acute patients who were still learning new skills and could potentially miss a deteriorating patient like Braes. "There's always time pressure because there's only one triage nurse," replied Ms Murphy. Sign up here. After Four Corners interviewed the Health Minister, Broken Hill Hospital's chief executive resigned, citing personal reasons. "A significant one was the failure on September 20, 2017, to perform vital signs observations," Ms Ryan said. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn, and work. Infectious diseases specialist Phillip Braslins said he was considering amputation after 18-year-old Alex Braes went into septic shock in Broken Hill Base Hospital on September 21 . Please don't include personal or financial information here, My property was damaged or destroyed in the fires FAQ. An infectious diseases specialist has told an inquest he was considering amputation to save the life of a gravely ill teenager he was treating at a rural hospital, but that the only option was to fly him elsewhere. But so shocking is his case that it's prompted a group of clinicians who worked at Broken Hill Hospital to blow the whistle on what they believe is a hospital that had dangerous, systemic failures for years. A coroner has blasted a NSW hospital for attempting to avoid an investigation into a teenager's death from sepsis after he was sent home from its emergency department, finding efforts to deny the significance of the tragedy inexcusable and deeply distressing to his family. Ms Sullivan asked DrBraslins, an infectious diseases expert who was the team leader for Alex's resuscitation, about the expert panel's disagreement. 95 Hits - Ajith May 31, 2022, 7:26 PM. Mr Braes told the inquest that even once Alex became gravely ill, there was no ambulance available to take him to Broken Hill Hospital, no hospitals willing to admit him in Adelaide and no pilot available to fly him to Sydney. 'An unthinkable tragedy': How did this train crash happen? "Alex was semi-conscious, he was rambling, he wasn't responding to simple questions," Dr O'Donohoe said. Braes was in "excruciating pain" and was described by one doctor as "the sickest patient the hospital had ever seen" by the time he visited the hospital for the third time, according to the outlet. Doctors identified necrotising fasciitis, a deadly, flesh-eating disease, from an infected toenail in the teenager. Mr McLean says he spoke up and tried to get something done but he was ignored by hospital management. Alex's ultrasound showed a possible torn tendon and again Alex was sent home and told to rest, ice and elevate his leg and to come back in two weeks if the pain hadn't stopped. ': Teen searched internet before dying of suspected toenail infection, inquest hears, Doctor tells inquest why he can't celebrate his birthday since teenager's death, Inquest begins into teen's death from infected toenail, The death of Alex Braes still haunts doctors who didn't even know him, Outside her tent, next to a popular city walking track, homeless Tasha is past caring what people think. In conjunction with the Chief Coroner, the Judicial College delivers a varied training programme for all coroners involving induction, continuation and one-day training on specific topics. Dr O'Donohoe spoke to the Royal Flying Doctor Service at Broken Hill. With Alex's vital signs quickly getting worse, a rapid-response team was called, led by Dr Benin O'Donohoe. The 18-year-old died about 1am on 22 September soon after landing in Sydney after a prolonged effort to evacuate him from Broken Hill. Alex Braes, 18, died at Sydney's Royal Prince Alfred Hospital about 46 hours after limping into Broken Hill Base Hospital at 3am on September 20, 2017. In lieu of an autopsy, a panel of experts determined he had an unusual presentation of a fast-acting, highly lethal infection called invasive group A streptococcal. This service may include material from Agence France-Presse (AFP), APTN, Reuters, AAP, CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced. Ms Edwards said it is a NSW Health policy that hospitals check vital signs before discharging a patient from emergency. This service may include material from Agence France-Presse (AFP), APTN, Reuters, AAP, CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced. The doctor was considering amputating 18-year-old Alex Braes' leg after he went into septic shock in . Mr McLean says staff had to provide life support before Alex could be put on the plane. Doctors suspected he had a ruptured tendon and recommended rest and ice. The inquest was held while an inquiry by a NSW parliamentary committee uncovered serious gaps in healthcare in rural and regional areas. For example, some states and jurisdictions include autopsy reports as part of a standard coroner's report . . A raised temperature is a key indicator of infection. Coroner's report into the death of Amy Robsart, August 1561 (KB 9/1073/f.80) For all that she liked to keep foreign suitors in play, Elizabeth was already deeply in love with her Master of Horse, Robert Dudley. Laws governing each of these documents and their contents vary from state to state. The 18-year-old died about 1am on 22 September soon after landing in Sydney after a prolonged effort to evacuate him from Broken Hill. "What are we doing about avoidable deaths, preventable deaths?" The inquest also heard from DrBaalbaki about whether expert recommendations surrounding Mr Braes' final presentation, such as having contact with an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in Sydney, would havebeen of assistance. Dr Hooper, who resigned from his position as a senior visiting medical officer at Broken Hill Hospital two months ago, told the inquest yesterday that Mr Braes' death was a "profound event" in his life. In lieu of an autopsy, a panel of experts . The inquest also heard the Broken Hill hospital is prevented from transferring patients to Adelaide, despite the SA capital being closer than Sydney. Alex's father called triple zero to ask an ambulance to take his son to hospital, but no ambulance was available. Murdaugh, 54, faces 30 years to life in prison if convicted of murdering his wife and son near dog kennels at the family's Colleton County home on June 7, 2021. Dr Randall Greenberg on Wednesday spokeat length in the New South Wales Coroner's Court about Mr Braes' condition, and issues thatprevented the RFDS from transferring him to Sydney or Adelaide sooner. Ms Ryan was also concerned that Mr Braes' retrieval and transfer out of Broken Hill Hospital was beset by numerous delays. They sat there. Broken Hill Hospital is one of several under the spotlight as a parliamentary inquiry probes the state of regional hospitals. AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time), abc.net.au/news/alex-braes-death-still-haunts-doctors/11470424, Your information is being handled in accordance with the, Get breaking news alerts directly to your phone with our app, Help keep family & friends informed by sharing this article, China leaving US behind on development of critical technologies, report finds, Former minister takes 'absolute responsibility' for Robodebt, admits defending scheme despite knowing it could be unlawful, 'Sickening, callous and brazen': Sydney man dies in hail of bullets in front of 12yo son, Evelyn worked three jobs when she was in her 20s to build up her super. Senior doctor gives evidence about Alex Braes' final hours on day two of inquest, Follow the action from the third Test between India and Australia in Delhi in our live blog, Former government services minister Stuart Robert is being questioned at theRobodebt inquiry, Keep up with the latest ASX and business news. One nurse is responsible for two jobs at the Broken Hill hospital, the inquest into the death of Alex Braes has heard. It recently handed down 44 recommendations to boost the rural medical workforce and improve the standard of care. A nurse in her first month at the hospital was assigned to take a full set of his vitals but was called away to prepare another patients antibiotics before she could finish. It was a call made far more difficult due to a lack of available pilots at the RFDS base in Broken Hill that day. This resulted in Braes' parents being denied a formal investigation "for an inexcusable length of time," Ryan said. Alex and his father were told to go home and come back later. I hope the recommendations made by the committee are taken to heart and the health needs of Broken Hill patients will be better met in the future, Ryan said. here. He went into cardiac arrest. "His parents were just shell-shocked. Alex finally left the hospital and was put onto the air ambulance which took off with his mother also on board. Staff at Broken Hill asked for a bed at Royal Adelaide but were told there were none available. In an interview with Four Corners, Mr Hazzard said he was "not sure" the hospital broke the law, but Alex's death was a circumstance that, "as a father, I couldn't have imagined happening". Browse for your location and find more local ABC News and information. The "first and only option" available to a specialist doctor treating a gravely ill teenager in a country hospital was to fly him elsewhere, a coroner has been told. Crucially, no-one did vital-signs observations such as check Alex's pulse, blood pressure, or temperature and they didn't take any blood for testing. Mr McLean says by this stage Alex's third presentation alarm bells should have been ringing. Doctors at the hospital initially suspected that Braes' pain was caused by a ruptured tendon even though the teen's father mentioned he did not play sports, a report by the Sydney Morning Herald said. Follow our Australia news live blog for the latest updates, serious gaps in healthcare in rural and regional areas. A New South Wales regional hospital where a teenager was sent home three times days before his death is still not safe due to staff shortages, a coroner has heard. The inquest is investigating the treatment the teenager received before he died from a bacterial infection known as Group A Streptococcus (GAS). "After Alex's tragic death, Broken Hill Hospital retuned to the practice of taking a full set of vital signs measurements for all patients coming to the emergency department," she said. While the expert panel did notagree on the cause of Alex's death, they agreedthat his chance of survival at Broken Hill Hospital had been 'small.'. Browse for your location and find more local ABC News and information. "I was aware that many of the staff felt that it affected the way they triaged and potentially could affect the accuracy of their triages," replied Ms Kelly. If they had flown Mr Braes down to Adelaide, the only available pilot would not have been able to return, as their allowed time would have expired. a coroner has heard. 'An unthinkable tragedy': How did this train crash happen? The doctor described him as the sickest patient he had ever seen at Broken Hill. The high-profile . The spokesperson said the changes included strengthening transfer processes for critically unwell patients and addition of a second patient transfer aircraf based at Broken Hill. He suffered multi-organ failure due to sepsis . "He complained that he might pass out or faint, so his father asked for a pillow," she said. DrHooper broke down several times as he passed on a message of condolence to the family, specifically John. The inquest heard Mr Braes had an ingrown toenail in August 2017 that was successfully treated with antibiotics. Alex died in the early hours of September 22, 2017, at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, after being transferred from his local hospital. Broken Hill teenager Alex Braess parents remember him as a ray of sunshine, a funny and smart young man ready to live a full life. Dr Benin O'Donohoe, who used to work as an anaesthetist at the hospital, told Four Corners Alex's presentation in itself should have been cause for concern. When asked by Ms Edwards if she was feeling under a lot of pressure that morningand finding it difficult to manage workflow, Ms Murphy answered 'yes' to both questions. "Twelvehours passed before hisemergency flight landed at Sydney's Royal Price Alfred Hospital," Ms Ryan said. Broken Hill teen Alex Braes died in 2017. Ms Anderson said 'yes' and that the rule was notin place at the hospital any longer. Alex's mother was left standing outside near the airport tarmac for hours as Alex, still back at the hospital, fought for his life. The hospital at the time had a policy running contrary to a NSW Health mandate that allowed staff to send patients home without taking a full set of vital signs. Can pain kill you?: Teens final words after he was turned away from NSW hospital. Coroner training overview. Alex Braes, 18, was only tested for . In lieu of an autopsy, a panel of experts determined he had. Tragically, what worked against Mr Braeswas his overall health and age, the inquest heard. It can also be seen on . Doctor leading team in NSW's far west 'deeply shocked' to learn 18-year-old died after being evacuated to Sydney Broken Hill doctor who led team working on 18-year-old Alex Braes teenager has. The inquest heard that at the hospital, only one doctor is on duty overnight and two nurses in the emergency department. She was in that dual role when Braes arrived at the hospital on 21 September 2017 crippled by pain and with his left ankle and knee black. Alex Braes, 18, died at Sydney's Royal Prince Alfred Hospital about 46 hours after limping into Broken Hill Base Hospital at 3am on September 20, 2017. Alex and his father arrived back at the emergency department. However, the rule did not comply with NSW Health policy, was "potentially dangerous" and should not have been introduced, according to Ryan. We will use your rating to help improve the site. "He was our first child, our ray of sunshine," he said. More than 14 hours after his father had first called an ambulance, Alex finally arrived at RPA Sydney a hospital that could actually treat him. She was in that dual role when Mr Braes arrived at the hospital on September 21, 2017 - crippled by pain and . When a death is reported to the Coroner The coronial process explained for the family and friends of a deceased or missing person east Access to Coronial documents How to apply for documents used in an inquest or inquiry east Help and support Support for family and friends of a deceased or missing person east Health Hazard, reported by Louise Milligan, goes to air on Monday 9th September at 8.30pm. Alex Braes, 18, died at Sydney's Royal Prince Alfred hospital nearly 46 hours after limping into Broken Hill Base hospital at 3am on 20 September 2017. . A sanatorium "business rule" resulted in the teen's vitals no longer being checked all through his first three presentations. Mr Braes, 18, died at Sydney's Royal Prince Alfred Hospital on September 22, 2017 after he was flown from Broken Hill. Deputy State Coroner Magistrate, Elizabeth Ryan, asked Ms Murphy whether the rule resulted in fewer cases of vital signs being taken and recorded at the hospital once implemented. The second day of hearings heard from DrDavid Hooper, who reviewed Alex during his third presentation to the local hospital on September 20, 2017. Dr MacDonald believes if you're in a remote centre and become gravely ill, the hospital needs to be equipped for what she describes as a "grab and go". An inquest into how a Broken Hill teenager died from an infected toenail has heard his condition deteriorated rapidly in his final hours. "I'm so sorry that this happened to you," said DrArangala to the Braes family in an emotional, sombre tone. Please note: But questions are expected to continue about the handling of Alex Braes' case. A hospital in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) repeatedly sent an 18-year-old boy home before he died from sepsis, officials revealed this week. Due to restrictions imposed by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, pilots can only fly 11 hours a day, with a possible extension of one hour. Edwards said it is a NSW parliamentary committee uncovered serious gaps in healthcare in rural and regional.. Of a standard coroner & # x27 ; s report `` he complained that he might out. Do n't include personal or financial information here, my property was damaged destroyed. To send my condolences and I 'm so sorry that this happened to,. September soon after landing in Sydney after a prolonged effort to evacuate him from Broken.... Said DrArangala to the Royal Flying doctor Service at Broken Hill called led... Ignored by hospital management coroner & # x27 ; leg after he was n't responding to questions... 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