An inquest has commenced into the death of Sheila Thurlow, an 85-year-old woman who was administered a fatal dose of morphine at a Brisbane hospital. The incident occurred during a procedure to insert a pain pump into her spine in June 2022. A pain specialist, Dr. Navid Amirabadi, testified that he did not remember being informed by a nurse about the dosage of the syringe prior to the injection.
Details of the Procedure and Administration Error
During the inquest, Dr. Amirabadi, who was the primary proceduralist, explained that he had never performed a spinal injection of this kind before. He indicated that on the day of the procedure, his mentor, Dr. Vahid Mohabbati, had flown in to assist him at North West Private Hospital. Dr. Amirabadi was reportedly seeking endorsement for an optional program aimed at enhancing practitioners’ skills.
He stated that he had signed out 100 milligrams of morphine earlier that morning, intending for it to be used to fill the pump rather than for a spinal injection. Dr. Amirabadi asserted he “did not think” about the source of the morphine for the injection, assuming that the anaesthetist would have access to appropriate opioids.
The court heard that Dr. Amirabadi denied receiving the syringe from a nurse who indicated it contained 100 milligrams of morphine. Instead, he claimed that Dr. Mohabbati handed him an unlabelled syringe during the procedure and instructed him to inject its contents. He accepted responsibility for the procedure but expressed that he felt unable to question his supervisor’s directions.
Family’s Grief and Call for Accountability
Sheila Thurlow’s husband, Raymond Thurlow, described her as a devoted wife and loving mother, highlighting her kindness and sense of humor. He expressed profound grief over the loss, stating that the family’s struggle has been compounded by the unexpected nature of her passing. “The distressing circumstances of her passing have left us without closure,” he told the court, reflecting on the impact of her death on their family.
Dr. Amirabadi mentioned that he became aware of Ms. Thurlow’s morphine toxicity only after a second procedure had begun. “We realised what happened…and that step was removed from the second procedure,” he explained. He later acknowledged that the details of his conversation with Dr. Mohabbati had not been included in his previous statements, raising questions about the accuracy and completeness of the initial reporting.
As the inquest continues, it is expected to shed light on the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident and the protocols in place for administering medication in medical procedures. The Thurlow family hopes that the inquiry will provide answers and bring some measure of accountability for their loss.
