Eight-year-old's hospital death ruled preventable by coroner
Victoria's deputy coroner found the death preventable. Eight-year-old Amrita Varshini Lanka died from inflammation of the heart muscle.
Amrita Varshini Lanka went to Monash Children's Hospital on April 29, 2022. Amrita had stomach pain, nausea and vomiting.
Tests showed she did not have appendicitis. Staff said she had gastroenteritis.
Early the next morning, Amrita's mother worried about chest pain and trouble breathing. An electrocardiogram at 3:30am found something wrong.
Doctors thought myocarditis was present, an inflammation of the heart muscle. Neither doctor saw how serious it was, the coroner found.
By 4am, the right care could have saved Amrita's life. She had cardiac arrest at 7:30am and died despite emergency transfer.
Deputy coroner Paresa Spanos found the emergency doctor's care was not good enough. His actions contributed to her death.
- Eight years old
- Patient age
- By 4am, proper care could have saved her
- Point of no return
- Monash Children's Hospital, Melbourne
- Hospital location
Why it mattersThe case shows gaps in how emergency departments care for children. Better rules and systems are needed.
AustraliaA Melbourne hospital death highlights gaps in emergency department care for children in Victoria's health system.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
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