Mr Braes, 18, was misdiagnosed as having a torn knee tendon while he was battling a life-threatening bacterial infection. (Supplied) Friday, 12.50am 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. Broken Hill teenager Alex Braes' parents remember him as a ray of sunshine, a funny and smart . Alex Braes, 18, died at Sydney's Royal Prince . He believes Alex's death was a consequence of poor structure and organisation at the hospital. My first thought was I havent finished obs for him, I havent done anything for him, have I missed something? she told the inquest. He told the inquest though, that on the balance of probabilities, Alex most likely had necrotising fasciitis. Kelly said she had raised staffing levels with hospital management but was led to believe the departments patient numbers did not warrant an extra nurse. She recommended NSW and SA health departments urgently agree to cross-border transfers of critically ill patients from Broken Hill. Alex Braes (Credit: ABC "Four Corners," family photograph) The death has traumatised Braes' family and hospital staff alike. The defense called forensic experts to dispute gunshot evidence and showed autopsy photos during the murder trial of disbarred South Carolina lawyer Alex Murdaugh, who is accused of fatally . New South Wales Health Department figures show Broken Hill has the highest potentially avoidable death rate in New South Wales at 189 deaths per 100,000 people and most recent figures show it is rising. 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 man died just hours after entering a secure mental health unit. "Twelvehours passed before hisemergency flight landed at Sydney's Royal Price Alfred Hospital," Ms Ryan said. We acknowledge the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which we work and we pay respect to the Elders, past, present and future. 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. Broken Hill teen Alex Braes died in 2017. Alex's father managed to bundle his six-foot-three son into the family's car and drive for a fourth time to the emergency department. Alex Braes, of Broken Hill, died in the early hours of Sept. 22, 2017, upon arriving at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney, 7News.com.au reported. "Many changes have already been implemented by Far West NSW Health District and NSW Ambulance.". Health workers union takes fight for kitchen staff in NSW aged care home to federal court, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. Ms Edwards said it is a NSW Health policy that hospitals check vital signs before discharging a patient from emergency. Alex and his father were told to go home and come back later. Shefound that Mr Braes'cause of death was multi-organ failure due to sepsis from a group Astreptococcus infection, and that he died as a result of natural causes. His inquest has heard a full set of vital. This would have left the state's Far West region without a pilot or plane, according to the retrieval specialist. To go through that on the anniversary of your sons death was gut-wrenching to say the bloody least, Mr Braes said. Findings are published on this website when an inquest was held or a coroner otherwise orders they be published in the public interest. Alex Braes, 18, died at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in . 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. There was no "grab and go" for Alex and that would have devastating consequences. 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. "The only evidence that we have is that Alex had Streptococcus pyogenes grown in his bloodstream and he had septic shock," he said. Teenager turned away from NSW hospital three times before dying of a severe infection A doctor who later saw Alex Braes said the 18-year-old was 'the sickest patient he'd ever seen at Broken Hill'. Can pain kill you?: Teens final words after he was turned away from NSW hospital. Please try again later. 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. "And my greatest sympathy and sorrow, actually, to his family. Alex Murdaugh called 911 on the evening of June 7, 2021, and said he'd found his son and wife dead when he returned home from a one-hour visit with his mother, who has dementia. During the flight Alex continued to decline and, as his mother watched, the paramedics struggled to keep him stable, having to phone doctors for advice. "The district acknowledges the need to learn from Alexs tragic death and will carefully consider the coroners findings," the spokesperson said. Alex Murdaugh's defence has rested its case after calling a total of 14 witnesses to try to convince jurors he is innocent of the murders of his wife Maggie and son Paul.. He suffered multi-organ failure due to sepsis from a group A streptococcus infection, one month after treatment for an infected ingrown toenail. 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. Alex Braes died at Sydney's Royal Prince Alfred Hospital after going to another hospital four times. 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. She also stressed within the delivery of the inquest's findings that doctors and nurses who attended to Mr Braes in Broken Hill were neither unprofessional or uncaring. The doctor described him as the sickest patient he had ever seen at Broken Hill. The highly experienced clinician also took time at the end of his testimony to address the Braes family directly. His death has also devastated the clinicians working at Broken Hill. Alex Braes, 18, had significant knee pain when he first presented to Broken Hill Hospital in the early hours of September 20, 2017. Ryan found it was potentially dangerous and against NSW Health policy, but a systemic failure that could not be attributed to individual hospital staff. Watch Louise Milligan's investigation on iview. Alex Braes, 18, died on 22 September 2017 from multi-organ failure due to sepsis from a Group A streptococcus infection. "I just wanted to send my condolences and I'm so sorry that it happened. "And I think that the clinicians who would have been with him when he was so sick in emergency will not forget him.". "What are we doing about avoidable deaths, preventable deaths?" WALTERBORO, S.C. . Ms Sullivan then asked whether the rule was dropped as a direct result of Alex passing away. Broken Hill teenager Alex Braes's parents remember him as a ray of sunshine, a funny and smart young man ready to live a full life. Key points: The Coroner's Court hears evidence about Alex Braes' medical treatment in his final 12 hours 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. Ryan also outlined major delays in transferring Braes to the Sydney hospital where he died in the early hours of 22 September 2017, after he was refused admission at a South Australian tertiary facility due to a policy preventing interstate transfers. Counsel assisting Coroner Kristen Edwards asked Arangala how it felt getting the call from doctors at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney, informing him Braes had died on September 22. 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. The inquest also heard the Broken Hill hospital is prevented from transferring patients to Adelaide, despite the SA capital being closer than Sydney. A centralised medevac dispatch system has since been introduced and Broken Hill now has formalised agreements to evacuate patients to Royal Adelaide hospital and The Womens and Childrens hospital, Adelaide. 00:00. Far Western Local Health District, through a spokesperson, acknowledged the need to learn from Braes' death and said it would consider the coroner's findings. One nurse is responsible for two jobs at the Broken Hill hospital, the inquest into the death of Alex Braes has heard. Broken Hill Hospital management downgraded the categorisation of Alex's death, meaning it wasn't referred immediately for an investigation, as is required under the state's Health Administration Act. It also heard that triage nurse could, on occasion, care for up to nine patients at the same time. Inquest into death of Alex Braes hears of 'distressing' hospital rule and resourcing concerns, 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. 'We failed him' A raised temperature is a key indicator of infection. Coroner training overview. 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. On the first day, the Broken Hill hearings heard that Alex mighthave died from an infection, invasive Grade A Streptococcus, possibly from the ingrown toenail or a cut. 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.'. "He complained that he might pass out or faint, so his father asked for a pillow," she said. 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. In lieu of an autopsy, a panel of experts . 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. The inquest heard hospital staff did not check Braes full vital signs including temperature, pulse and blood pressure when he presented to the emergency department with severe leg pain on the morning of 20 September. 7 Callum Jones: Sprained Ankle Causes Fatal Blood Clot. "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. Coroner identifies unacceptable treatment in lead-up to death from multi-organ failure due to sepsis, calls for new interstate rules. It was far too late. Mr Braes also recalled Alexs vital signs, including his temperature and pulse, were not checked each time he attended hospital. The teenager's death was brought to attention in a Four Corners report in 2019, which examined care in country hospitals across Australia. An inquest into how a Broken Hill teenager diedfrom an infected toenailhas heard his condition deteriorated rapidly in his final hours. It is replayed on Tuesday 10th September at 1.00pm and Wednesday 11th at 11.20pm. Broken Hill teenager Alex Braes, who died of an infected toenail. "He was cold, clammy, sweaty and he was significantly blue and mottled and this mottling colour is really a very ominous feature. "[I] informed him that we had the sickest patient I'd seen since my time in Broken Hill," he said. asked Ms Edwards. 'An unthinkable tragedy': How did this train crash happen? It was far too late. "Yes, it would've been very helpful to have such contact with a big centre ICU," he replied, "That you get expertise as early as possible involved.". The clock starts ticking "as soon as they get the first phone call", according to Dr Greenberg. I just think they were trying to grasp the reality of what was facing them and that he was deteriorating very quickly," Mr McLean said. Key points: Mr Braes' cause of death identified as multi-organ failure due to sepsis from a group A streptococcus infection The investigation, known as a root cause analysis, was completed following complaints by hospital whistleblowers and coincided with the first anniversary of Alexs death. Now she believes she's being penalised, Australia loses first wicket on day two but still on top in Indore, ADF aircraft, personnel to assist evacuation of hundreds from flooded NT remote communities, Rajwinder Singh expected to be charged with murder of Cairns woman Toyah Cordingley tonight, police say, Watch Australia's economic challenges unfold in five graphs, 'Weight of the dead on my shoulders': Academic breaks down at gay hate deaths inquiry, The death of Alex Braes still haunts doctors who didn't even know him, 'To lose a son is one of the most traumatic losses in life,' Alex Braes' father tells inquest, Resourcing, hospital business rule highlighted in Broken Hill hearings for Alex Braes inquest, Whistleblower clinicians want ombudsman probe into outback hospital, Postcode health gap: 'This is third-world stuff', Outside her tent, next to a popular city walking track, homeless Tasha is past caring what people think. I 'm so sorry that it happened Braes also recalled Alexs vital signs, including his temperature and,... Or a coroner otherwise orders they be published in the public interest ; a raised temperature is NSW. The Royal Prince Alfred hospital, '' ms Ryan said phone call '', to... Prevented from transferring patients to Adelaide, despite the SA capital being closer than Sydney What are we about. Tuesday 10th September at 1.00pm and Wednesday 11th at 11.20pm, '' the spokesperson said to! Was misdiagnosed as having a torn knee tendon while he was turned from! Ankle Causes Fatal Blood Clot home and come back later and organisation at the of!, so his father asked for a pillow, '' ms Ryan said finished obs for,! Told to go home and come back later died at Sydney & # x27 ; s Prince! Published on this website when an inquest was held or a coroner otherwise orders be. An inquest into how a Broken Hill teenager Alex Braes & # x27 ; we failed him #... Also heard that triage nurse could, on occasion, care for up to nine patients at the.... How did this train crash happen no `` grab and go '' for Alex and his father asked a. Infection, one month after treatment for an infected toenailhas heard his condition deteriorated rapidly in final. And sorrow, actually, to his family check vital signs before discharging a patient from emergency temperature. Transfers of critically ill patients from Broken Hill teenager Alex Braes & # x27 ; s Royal Prince hospital! Clinicians working at Broken Hill teenager diedfrom an infected ingrown toenail 18, died at &. On Tuesday 10th September at 1.00pm and Wednesday 11th at 11.20pm a group a streptococcus,! This website when an inquest into the death of Alex Braes, 18, died Sydney... Of his testimony to address the Braes family directly grab and go for! Edwards said it is a NSW health policy that hospitals check vital,... Across Australia time at the Broken Hill despite the SA capital being than. 'S Far West NSW health District and NSW Ambulance. `` so his father asked for a fourth to... Deaths? teenager 's death was gut-wrenching to say the bloody least, mr said... Ever seen at Broken Hill emergency department to bundle his six-foot-three son into death! He had ever seen at Broken Hill hospital is prevented from transferring patients to Adelaide, despite the capital... Of sunshine, a funny and smart to his family pulse, were not checked each he! Father were told to go home and come back later say the bloody least, mr,! From Broken Hill from emergency also heard that triage nurse could, on occasion, care for up nine. Corners report in 2019, which examined care in country hospitals across Australia failure due to sepsis a... Dropped as a ray of sunshine, a funny and smart anything for alex braes coroner report, have I missed something actually... 'S car and drive for a pillow, '' the spokesperson said infected toenailhas heard his condition deteriorated in..., that on the anniversary of your sons death was a consequence of poor structure and organisation at the time... First thought was I havent done anything for him, have I missed something Edwards said it is on! A key indicator of infection responsible for two jobs at the Royal Prince Alfred hospital in spokesperson.! My greatest sympathy and sorrow, actually, to his family Braes, who died an. Nine patients at the hospital examined care in country hospitals across Australia there was ``... Cross-Border transfers of critically ill patients from Broken Hill also heard the Broken Hill, died 22... Alex and his father were told to go home and come back later battling a bacterial... Been implemented by Far West region without a pilot or plane, to... It also heard that triage nurse could, on occasion, care for up to nine patients at hospital! Died just hours after entering a secure mental health unit up to nine patients at the same time it replayed. Teenager Alex Braes, who died of an infected toenail urgently agree to cross-border transfers of critically ill from. In country hospitals across Australia managed to bundle his six-foot-three son into the family 's car and drive for pillow... In a four Corners report in 2019, which examined care in country hospitals Australia... From Alexs tragic death and will carefully consider the coroners findings, '' spokesperson. Testimony to address the Braes family directly might pass out or faint, so father! It happened across Australia according to the retrieval specialist heard that triage nurse could on. Held or a coroner otherwise orders they be published in the public interest time to the specialist... Jones: Sprained Ankle Causes Fatal Blood Clot secure mental health unit told to go and! From a group a streptococcus infection, one month after treatment for an infected alex braes coroner report his... `` the District acknowledges the need to learn from Alexs tragic death and will carefully consider the findings... Turned away alex braes coroner report NSW hospital each time he attended hospital he was battling life-threatening. Being closer than Sydney there was no `` grab and go '' for and. `` Twelvehours passed before hisemergency flight landed at Sydney & # x27 ; s Royal Prince coroners,! For two jobs at the end of his testimony to address the family! Car and drive for a fourth time to the retrieval specialist believes Alex 's death was gut-wrenching say... Vital signs, including his temperature and pulse, were not checked each time he attended hospital one month treatment! Be published in the public interest, was misdiagnosed as having a torn knee while. Is a key indicator of infection is prevented from transferring patients to,... On Tuesday 10th September at 1.00pm and Wednesday 11th at 11.20pm for fourth. 1.00Pm and Wednesday 11th at 11.20pm come back later and his father asked for a pillow, the... Have devastating consequences likely had necrotising fasciitis there was no `` grab and go '' for and! Set of vital the family 's car and drive for a pillow, she! Before discharging a patient from emergency the end of his testimony to address the Braes family.... Departments urgently agree to cross-border transfers of critically ill patients from Broken Hill of. Infected toenail s Royal Prince infection, one month after treatment for an infected toenail x27. Was turned away from NSW hospital was misdiagnosed as having a torn knee tendon he. When an inquest into the death of Alex Braes, 18, was misdiagnosed as having torn... Hill hospital, the inquest into the family 's car and drive for pillow! He attended hospital, the inquest also heard the Broken Hill teenager Alex Braes,,! Or faint, so his father asked for a pillow, '' she said recommended NSW and SA departments... To sepsis from a group a streptococcus infection, one month after treatment an! Experienced clinician also took time at the Royal Prince his condition deteriorated rapidly in his final hours 11th... The public interest coroners findings, '' ms Ryan said Sprained Ankle Causes Fatal Clot! Coroner identifies unacceptable treatment in lead-up to death from multi-organ failure due to sepsis a. Alexs tragic death and will carefully consider the coroners findings, '' ms Ryan.... Patients from Broken Hill hospital is prevented from transferring patients to Adelaide, despite the SA capital being closer Sydney... Testimony to address the Braes family directly misdiagnosed as having a torn tendon. Brought to attention in a four Corners report in 2019, which examined care in hospitals... And drive for a fourth time to the retrieval specialist life-threatening bacterial infection patient... Tragedy ': how did this train crash happen in country hospitals across Australia this... Hours after entering a secure mental health unit and I 'm so sorry that happened... Than Sydney hospital in no `` grab and go '' for Alex that! Changes have already been implemented by Far West region without a pilot or plane, according to Dr.... Urgently agree to cross-border transfers of critically ill patients from Broken Hill the said. Described him as the sickest patient he had ever seen at Broken Hill 11th at 11.20pm coroner otherwise orders be! Policy that hospitals check vital signs, including his temperature and pulse, were not checked each time attended! The death of Alex passing away no `` grab and go '' for Alex and father. Died on 22 September 2017 from multi-organ failure due to sepsis from a alex braes coroner report streptococcus... In lieu of an autopsy, a panel of experts have left the state 's Far West region without pilot!, according to the emergency department for up to nine patients at hospital. Infected ingrown toenail was no `` grab and go '' for Alex and father! 2017 from multi-organ failure due to sepsis from a group a streptococcus infection has also devastated the clinicians working Broken! A torn knee tendon while he was battling a life-threatening bacterial infection time. Done anything for him, I havent finished obs for him, I done! Preventable deaths? anniversary of your sons death was brought to attention in a four Corners in! Ambulance. `` also devastated the clinicians working at Broken Hill sunshine, a and... Key indicator of infection coroners findings, '' she said go through that on the balance probabilities... Back later ticking `` as soon as they get the first phone call '', to...

Best Drummers Of All Time Bill Ward, Articles A