A tragic incident involving the death of a young mother, Aleisha Rochester, due to sepsis exacerbated by inadequate care from the NHS has been determined by a coroner. Rochester, a 33-year-old bank cashier residing in Croydon, south London, passed away two weeks after a routine procedure to remove an abscess from her left armpit.
Despite seeking medical assistance multiple times for her deteriorating condition, Rochester was provided with the wrong antibiotics that were ineffective against the bacteria causing her infection. Sian Reeves, an assistant coroner, highlighted that staff at St Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals failed to adhere to the NHS trust’s antibiotic administration guidelines.
Following an inquest in December, Reeves concluded that Rochester’s demise was partly due to negligence as she might have survived if she had received the appropriate antibiotics promptly. Rochester, who left behind her eight-year-old son Xavier, suffered from hidradenitis suppurativa, a condition leading to skin abscesses, and had undergone a standard procedure at St Thomas’ Hospital to address abscesses on her left armpit and groin.
The coroner pointed out that Rochester’s condition worsened after being prescribed inadequate antibiotics, leading to her admission to intensive care with septic shock and organ failure. Despite efforts to stabilize her, Rochester’s health continued to decline, culminating in a tragic outcome.
It was determined that on August 15, Rochester should have been provided with the correct antibiotics, a crucial omission that likely contributed to her untimely death. Reeves emphasized the significance of timely and appropriate treatment in cases of infection like Rochester’s.
Rochester’s mother, Lorna, has taken legal action against the trust, expressing profound grief over the loss of her daughter and the impact on their family. The negligence finding underscores the importance of ensuring proper medical care to prevent such tragedies and improve patient outcomes.
St George’s, Epsom, and St Helier University Hospitals expressed deep regret for the oversight in Rochester’s treatment, extending condolences to her family and emphasizing the steps taken to prevent similar incidents in the future. Efforts include staff training on sepsis recognition and enhanced antibiotic prescribing protocols, along with regular audits to ensure compliance with guidelines.