Dr Raunak Konok gives evidence during inquest into death of Adelina D’Angelo, 88

A doctor who treated an elderly patient suffering from dementia and extreme dehydration has delivered an emotional apology to the woman’s family.

A locum practitioner has issued a tearful apology to the family of an elderly woman who died after suffering extreme dehydration in an aged-care facility.

Dr Raunak Konok, who treated 88-year-old Adelina D’Angelo before she was admitted to the Royal Adelaide Hospital in 2020, told Ms D’Angelo’s family she was “terribly sorry”, an inquest into the woman’s death heard on Wednesday.

“It’s your mother,” she said through tears. “If given the chance, I would go back. Rather than relying on people, I would go through the documents myself.”

Dr Konok was asked to attend the North Eastern Community Hospital to see Ms D’Angelo in October 2020.

A dementia sufferer, Ms D’Angelo had reportedly not been her “usual self”, and hadn’t been eating, drinking or taking her medication.

Dr Raunak Konok broke down in tears during Wednesday's inquest into the death of Adelina D'Angelo. Picture: Supplied

Upon arrival and examination, Dr Konok initially believed she was dealing with a stroke due to the fact Ms D’Angelo “was unresponsive”.

After discussion with the attending nurses, Dr Konok understood “the patient was not for resuscitation or active management”.

Part of that decision precluded the actions of calling an ambulance, doing blood tests and investigations, and giving fluid, the inquest heard.

Adelina D’Angelo, 88, suffered from extreme dehydration leading to multiple organ failure. Picture: Supplied

Ms D’Angelo was admitted to the Royal Adelaide Hospital at the request of her family on October 4, 2020, where she was diagnosed with dehydration and presumed pre-renal acute or chronic kidney injury due to her poor oral intake.

She continued to deteriorate, becoming hypotensive and less responsive. She began palliative care and was pronounced dead on October 9, 2020.

On Tuesday, an inquest heard Ms D’Angelo had to have drinks supplied to her because her dementia made her unable to drink by herself.

It also heard she suffered extreme dehydration before she eventually died of multiple organ failure at the RAH in 2020 – five days after she was first admitted.

Professor Neil Langlois gave evidence that the “fundamental issue” was dementia and dehydration.

“There wouldn’t have been dehydration if there hadn’t been dementia,” he said.

“The deceased leading up to her death could not take a drink herself, she had to have drinks supplied so therefore her dementia had obviously got to a stage where she was at risk of dehydration if she wasn’t given enough fluid.

“It’s dehydration leading to multiple organ failure.”

The inquest continues on Thursday.