Primary school teacher, 28, died from undiagnosed blood clot a day after discharge from hospital, inquest hears - as family say she should have had every chance of surviving
A 28-year-old primary school teacher died from an undiagnosed blood clot only one day after being discharged from hospital, an inquest heard.
A 28-year-old primary school teacher died from an undiagnosed blood clot only one day after being discharged from hospital, an inquest heard.
Dena Collins, 28, died at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Greenwich, south-west London, from a heart attack caused by a blood clot on January 12, 2023.
Three days earlier Ms Collins from nearby Eltham, had visited her local GP, complaining of a pain in her left leg.
She had also texted friends and family suspecting she had a blood clot after Googling her symptoms and potential side effects of antibiotics she was taking.
Despite her concerns, the GP diagnosed her with muscular pain and gave Ms Collins assurance, the inquest was told.
When the 28-year-old arrived at the hospital the day before her death, she complained of four days of leg, fever and diarrhoea.
At the time, the nursery and reception teacher was using a crutch to walk because of the pain, limping and short of breath.
Even though the possibility of a blood clot was noted at triage and positive results from a D-dimer - a test to identify clots - was recorded, she was diagnosed with a possible ruptured cyst and told to return the following day for a scan.
Ms Collins collapsed at her family home the next morning, with her father performing CPR on her before an ambulance arrived and rushed her to the same hospital. She died a few hours later
Dena Collins, 28, (pictured) died at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Greenwich, London , from a heart attack caused by a blood clot on January 12, 2023
She had visited Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Greenwich only the day before complaining of four days of leg pain, diarrhoea and fever (pictured with her sister Clare)
A serious incident report, written by the Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, found that, despite seeing four doctors at the hospital, an undiagnosed deep vein thrombosis (DVT) - a blood clot in a large vein, most commonly found in the leg - led to Ms Collins fatal heart attack.
The document highlighted several issues with Ms Collins care including that she was not asked about any risk factors for DVT.
There were also no records from her initial visit to the GP, whilst paper notes used at the hospital meant that her electronic record was incomplete.
The report read: Had the DVT been diagnosed earlier and she received anticoagulation her outcome may have been different.
It concluded that that there were some missed red flags in the young teachers care, including her shortness of breath, leg pain. a recent illness as well as her use of the combined oral contraceptive pill.
Despite these factors, the report found that given her heart attack occurred 16 hours after being discharged, it is unlikely that this would have been preventable.
However her sister Clare Collins, 33, believed the primary school teacher had every chance of surviving, had she been given anti-clot medication.
She knew she had a clot, she knew, and nobody listened to her, and then she just trusted that they had ruled out the life threatening and so did we, she said.
She had also visited a GP three days prior amid texting friends that she believed she could have a blood clot - but she was later diagnosed with muscle pain at the GP
The possibility of a blood clot was noted at triage and positive results from a D-dimer - a test to identify clots - was recorded (pictured Ms Collins with her mother Irene and older sister Clare)
She should have been given that thinner, and I strongly believe she would have been here.
She was young, she was fit, she was healthy - she had every chance of surviving.
She added: We cannot 100% say that the thinner would have saved her, but she was never given the chance, and thats the whole reason why were going to court, because they neglected to give her something that could have potentially have saved her, and we believe she could have been saved.
Ms Collins worked as a nursery and reception teacher and was completely and utterly devoted to every class and every child that she taught, particularly those with special educational needs, her sister said.
She was a devoted Crystal Palace football club fan and had a season ticket for more than 20 years - sitting side by side with her father at every home game.
An inquest into the teachers death opened at Southwark Coroners Court on Monday, more than two years after Ms Collins death, but was adjourned until June because of last minute evidence submitted to the court.
Clare Collins described the delay as frustrating, adding: My mum is devastated, she just sat and sobbed next to me.
She told the hearing, attended by more than 20 of Ms Collins family and friends, she believed her sisters death was avoidable and that it has destroyed her family.
Despite the test results, she was diagnosed with a possible ruptured cyst and told to return the following day for a scan
She collapsed at her home and was rushed to hospital the following day to the same hospital where she died only hours later
In a witness statement, she said: We spent two years fighting to get answers for Dena and how we have to wait six more months.
Our lives have been forever changed and the thought of living the rest of my days without her by my side leaves me unable to breathe.
A Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust spokesperson said: We are truly saddened by Denas death and recognise the devastating and lasting impact this has on her family and friends.
Following Denas death, we undertook a full and thorough review of her care, which has been shared with her family.
It is very difficult for us to comment any further during todays inquest, but we continue to offer the Collins family our sincere condolences and any support they need.