Water bottle split may have led to death of SA nursing home resident
The Adelaide Coroner’s Court has heard that a split along the base of a hot water bottle may have caused the death of a nursing home resident.
Yvonne Lillian Kent, 82, died in the Royal Adelaide Hospital on November 5, 2004, as the result of serious burns to her back, arm and buttocks. She suffered those injuries at St Basil’s Nursing Home when the contents of a hot water bottle spilled across her body.
The inquest heard evidence from the personal carer who had filled the bottle and positioned it in a nest of pillows behind Mrs Kent’s back. She said she always checked for leaks from hot water bottles by the tops coming off.
After the incident occurred, she checked the top by taking it out of its woolen cover and she then discovered it had a split along the bottom.
The inquest is continuing.
