Meningitis death caused by tube

The hospital has now changed its procedures

A woman from the Black Country died after contracting meningitis brought on by a complication from an epidural tube inserted into her spine, an inquest has heard.

Dorothy Pedley, 70, was being treated at Walsall Manor Hospital.

The inquest was told that it was believed to be the first case of its kind.

Medical research showed the chances of Mrs Pedley developing the deadly infection following the epidural were less than one in 500,000.

Spine abscess

Consultant pathologist Dr Christopher Edwards said the likelihood of micro-organisms being present on the epidural tip was about 22% but the chances of this leading to meningitis were less than 1%.

Mrs Pedley, of Rose Drive, Clayhanger, Brownhills, had the injection for an operation.

Her epidural catheter was left in for six days.

She died on 23 August after developing an abscess around her spine, which led to meningitis.

Consultant anaesthetist Christopher Newson told the inquest he believed it was the first case of its kind.

Coroner Ian Smith recorded a verdict of misadventure.

Walsall Manor Hospital said it had now changed its procedures and epidural catheters were now routinely changed after three days.