How Long For Someone To Die From Mucus On The Lungs?

[toltol]

Hi All,

I am trying to find out how quickly someone can develop a chest problem that actually kills them. Is it hours or days?

I am making a medical complaint, a hospital discharged my father to come home, when he arrived his breathing was laboured. We thought he was just exhausted (the stay in hospital had left him underfed and dehydrated) he died 11 hrs later of mucus on the lungs. The hospital are denying any knowledge of him being ill when he left them. He was released on a Monday lunchtime but the Doctor who discharged him did so on the Friday before (Is that normal?). So they are claiming that the staff did not see anything untoward.

Any help would be welcome.

Regards

[jno]

I can't help but I'm very sorry to hear your news. Did the hospital not do any checks in the two days before releasing him?

[toltol]

No they didn't, which I think is wrong....there are so many things that someone can become ill with in two days that I'm thinking it sounds unreasonable to do the discharge of someone several days before you actually let them out of the hospital.

[toltol]

And thanks for your concern jno.

[toltol]

I would really appreciate help on this one.

[anneasquith]

are you saying he saw a doctor on Friday and a discharge letter completed. but not sent home until the Monday ? can you get access to his notes to see what his observations eg temperature pulse respiratory rates were on the Monday prior to discharge.?

[anneasquith]

what does the death certificate give as reason for death, ? I wonder when you say mucus on the lungs do you mean pneumonia ?

[Sqad]

There really is no medical condition of "Mucus on the Lungs"........that is a layman's term.

One needs far more information and also the use of bona fida medical terminology.

For what reason was he admitted to hospital?
What underlying conditions were present as part of his medical history?
Was a post mortem performed?
How old was your father?

You need his medical notes and these can only be provided on the basis of litigation by your solicitor.

[Ann]

Sqad - it seems he had been ill for some time by a related post below this one:
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Body-and-Soul/Health-and-Fitness/Question1259463.html

[Sqad]

very helpful, thanks Ann.

toltol......if you intend to take this to the end then you need to consult a solicitor who will seek a medical report.

[Arksided]

Sorry for your loss toltol, you have my Sympathies.

[gness]

Toltol...I'm sorry for your loss in such awful circumstances.

Sqad.....does it need the services of a solicitor at this stage? I applied for and received MrG's medical notes for a fee of £50 before ever consulting a solicitor.

[Sqad]

gness.....what would be the value of the notes if a qualified person was not appointed to peruse them?

As I mentioned before, if toltol intends taking action, then a solicitor and a doctor (expert witness) will need to be available.

[gness]

Thanks, Sqad....I thought you meant the notes could only be released at the request of a solicitor...my mistake.
I know a solicitor will be needed if action is to be taken but I found it very useful to go through the notes myself first.....x