The death of a woman on the Mid North Coast has prompted a NSW deputy state coroner to recommend alerts be placed on a patient’s electronic medical record if they are at risk of domestic or family violence.
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Mother of two Helen Ashburn died at Port Macquarie Base Hospital on December 30, 2011.
The 46-year-old died from the prolonged effects and complications of a head injury on October 25, 2011.
The findings of an inquest into Ms Ashburn’s death were handed down on June 6 by deputy state coroner Magistrate Grahame.
The inquest focused on the manner and cause of Ms Ashburn’s death. It considered related issues concerning the investigation of her death.
The findings said Magistrate Grahame was unable to determine the manner in which Ms Ashburn sustained her original injury on October 25, 2011.
The facts said at times Ms Ashburn had experienced relationships which involved domestic violence and had previously suffered a serious head injury.
In handing down the findings Magistrate Grahame recommended NSW Health give consideration to further explore the viability of a patient’s domestic and family violence history as an alert on the patient’s electronic medical record.
“Where that patient is at risk of serious threat resulting from domestic or family violence,” she said.
“Consideration of this proposition will understandably include examining the significant privacy concerns involved.”
Magistrate Grahame also recommended the Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD) amend an emergency department electronic booklet to ensure staff alert police to suspected incidents of domestic violence.
Another recommendation was the MNCLHD follow the results of a trial into an emergency department domestic violence screening tool which was carried out by the Northern NSW Local Health District at Lismore Base Hospital.
“With a view to assess its potential usefulness in the Mid North Coast Local Health District,” Magistrate Grahame said.
A spokesperson from NSW Health said they would carefully review the coronial findings received on June 6 and fully consider the coroner's recommendations.