A Tasmanian man died after an ambulance was not sent to him when his wife first told triple-0 operators he had symptoms consistent with a heart attack, a coroner has found.
Anton Lukacevich, 64, died on January 25 last year, at a relative’s home in Mangalore, north of Hobart, after he had a heart attack.
In his findings published on Monday, coroner Simon Cooper said Mr Lukacevich’s wife called triple-0 at 10:34am asking for an ambulance.
“In the call she told the operator the age of her husband (64 years), that he had developed sudden onset of sweating, shortness of breath and shoulder pain — all symptoms of a heart attack,” Mr Cooper said.
“Despite this clear information, the call was incorrectly entered into the Ambulance Tasmania medical priority dispatch system.
“Mr Lukacevich was categorised as being of ‘less apparent priority’ than other cases. Accordingly no ambulance was sent.”
Mr Cooper said Mr Lukacevich’s wife called triple-0 again at 12pm, by which time Mr Lukacevich had collapsed, was blue and not breathing.
“Despite the efforts of Mr Lukacevich’s wife, sister and brother-in-law at CPR, by the time ambulance paramedics arrived he was dead and could not be resuscitated,” he said.
“The failure by Ambulance Tasmania to afford the matter an appropriate priority … potentially meant Mr Lukacevich lost an opportunity for survival.”
Mr Cooper also noted Ambulance Tasmania, in its initial response to his request for information, described its response to the first call as “non-compliant call taking”.
Ambulance Tasmania has been contacted for comment.
LoadingLoading…