Brian Dean, a 44-year-old father of two from Geelong, Australia, tragically passed away after being released from Geelong Hospital just 24 hours earlier. He came in on July 1, 2023 with worsening influenza-like symptoms. Staff had cleared Dean for discharge the morning of July 2. Approximately 12 hours later, he presented again to an area hospital with severe sepsis. He passed away at 11:37 AM on July 3, leaving behind his wife, Sandra Dean, and their two young children, Alfie and Ari.
Sandra Dean has tirelessly campaigned for an independent coronial inquest into her husband’s death. She’s convinced that if he’d received treatment sooner, his life would’ve been saved. She is convinced that had her husband been given antibiotics on his first hospital visit he’d still be alive today. Her pain and frustration over this possibility comes through beautifully. The family is devastated and working to heal from this physical and emotional trauma stemming from this tragic and sudden loss. Sandra opened up about her diagnosis of traumatic stress disorder, and how their children are in a state of extreme distress as well.
Timeline of Events
Brian Dean’s health noticeably worsened, resulting in his last-minute emergency admission to the hospital on July 1. He’d come in by ambulance after a rapid progression of influenza symptoms. After a brief stay, medical staff deemed him clinically well enough for discharge around 10:30 AM on July 2. Within hours, he started to feel worse and re-presented to Geelong Hospital.
When he returned, doctors soon diagnosed him with life-threatening severe sepsis. This potentially life-threatening condition is due to the body’s over-response to infections. Even with immediate medical treatment, Brian Dean could not be saved and died from the disease the next morning.
Sandra Dean said she could hardly believe what led to her husband’s death.
“Who is discharged from hospital and thinks they’ll be dead 24 hours later? We thought he was sick obviously, but we thought he was going to be fine because he’d been discharged.” – Sandra Dean
This shocking turn of events has taken a deep emotional toll on the family. We grieve for all those whose lives have been irreversibly changed by this great and horrible tragedy.
Family’s Call for Accountability
Since the loss of her husband, Sandra Dean has become a passionate advocate for those who have lost loved ones to misconduct in the medical field. She contends that had Brian been given antibiotics early in his treatment, he likely would have lived. She said it was critical to know what the failure was in the hospital encounter.
The family’s legal representatives at Shine Lawyers are assisting them to pursue a coronial inquest. They have filed medical malpractice evidence alleging that Brian should have been given antibiotics when he first arrived at the emergency room.
“We’ve obtained strong expert evidence that says Brian should have received antibiotics when he went to Geelong hospital, and that if he’d received antibiotics, he would have survived.” – Rachel Seagar from Shine Lawyers
This effort to call an inquest is Brian’s last hope for justice. More importantly, it seeks to ensure that no similar incident occurs in the future.
The Emotional Toll
While they endure this emotional weight, the sudden loss has put an economic burden on Sandra and their children. Sandra has recounted the way in which this loss has colored everything in their lives since then.
“It doesn’t stop, unfortunately. It just doesn’t. It’s every minute of every day, because he’s not here.” – Sandra Dean
Both Alfie and Ari still have been hit hard by their father’s death. Sandra explained that, while they had the traumatic experiences of their father’s final hours, it’s these moments that they need to work through now.
“They experienced things that night with their dad and they remember things that have been extraordinarily hard for them to process,” – Sandra Dean
The family’s mourning process is compounded by their wish for answers about Brian’s treatment and death. Sandra wants Brian to get the justice he deserves, and she wants their children to know what happened.
“I think Brian deserves it. I think Brian’s children deserve the answers that it might bring,” – Sandra Dean
In addition to seeking answers, Sandra hopes that their experience can help others in similar situations advocate for better medical care.
“If his death can help other families or other people advocate for themselves in hospital, so this doesn’t happen to anyone else — or it might stall it happening for someone else — then we all deserve that.” – Sandra Dean
