A WIFE wants an explanation from a health trust about when MRSA was diagnosed in her husband and how it was treated.
Retired accountant Frank Dootson, 69, of Towers Way, Penyffordd died on New Year's day at Wrexham Maelor Hospital with bronchial pneumonia (MRSA) with heart disease a contributory factor.
His wife, Audrey, told a Wrexham inquest she became concerned about her husband's behaviour in the autumn of 2003 when he stopped taking his medication for diabetes.
His doctor confirmed it was the onset of Alzheimer's.
In the last 12 months his condition deteriorated and he needed respite care.
But after being transferred from a private home to Wrexham Maelor Hospital in December he fell out of bed and cut his wrist which developed into a 'nasty looking' sore, said Mrs Dootson.
Mrs Dootson wanted to know why a swab was not taken immediately to find whether it was infected with MRSA and antibiotics administered earlier.
Sister Ann Breeze said Mr Dootson had heart problems, had recovered from prostate cancer and Alzheimer's would cause him sometimes to lash out and sometimes to fall.
Mrs Dootson asked: 'With MRSA rife I cannot under-stand why you didn't insist it (his wound) was swabbed.'
Sister Breeze said: 'It is not hospital practice to swab everyone with a small wound.'
Pathologist Dr Anthony Burdge said it was impossible to determine with certainty that MRSA started at the wrist wound.
Deputy North East Wales coroner John Gittins said a letter from the North East Wales NHS Trust said the first positive indication of MRSA was December 28 and antibiotics were given the following day.
Verdict: Accidental death.
