THERE is clinical documentation to support the fact that Erin Patterson, the Leongatha mother of two accused of three murders and one of attempted murder, had five bowel movements while she was in the Leongatha Hospital.
On Monday, July 31, 2023, two days after preparing a meal of beef Wellington containing death cap mushrooms for four of her estranged husband’s relatives, and herself, she presented at the Leongatha Hospital at 9.48am where it is documented that she had three liquid bowel movements; one at 10am and another at 10.04am both rated ‘liquid medium’ and a further one at 10.06am rated ‘liquid small’; a reference to volume.
She had two additional bowel movements at 10.15am and at 11.50am before being transferred to Monash Medical Centre shortly after 1pm.
Ambulance officers who transferred Mrs Patterson have given evidence that she didn’t ask to go to the toilet on the 90-minute drive from Leongatha to Clayton and by mid-afternoon the following day she was well enough to go home.
But together with observations including elevated haemoglobin, a mild level of dehydration, creatinine in the upper range indicating slightly impaired kidney function and slightly high blood pressure it was enough for Intensive care specialist, Dr Andrew David Bersten, a Professor the College of Medicine and Public Health at Flinders University to tell the Supreme Court in Morwell this week that there was evidence of Erin Patterson having had a diarrhoeal illness in the days following the lunch.
Other vital signs including lactate, urea and oxygen saturation were normal while the heart rate at 100 bpm was on the higher side of normal.
But Dr Bersten said common pathogens usually associated gastroenteritis were not detected after a multiplex PCR molecular test had been conducted and no biochemical evidence of an acute or the sudden onset of liver injury.
“I thought there was evidence that she had a diarrhoeal illness. There were reports of diarrhoea and despite the urea-creatinine ratio not being elevated, I would give preference to the indication she was somewhat dehydrated and therefore I thought it was consistent with a diarrhoeal illness and a mild level of dehydration at her presentation,” said Dr Bersten.
However, after reviewing all of Erin Patterson’s medical records including those from Monash Health, Gippsland Southern Health Service, Ambulance Victoria, records from the Korumburra Medical Centre, Waverley Medical Centre (complete record as at September 6, 2023) and the Leongatha Healthcare (dating March 2, 2023 to August 11, 2023) he was also able to say there was no cancer diagnosis.
Asked if there was sufficient evidence in Erin Patterson's medical files to support the claim that she was diagnosed with cancer in mid-2023, Dr Bersten said he couldn’t find any evidence.
He confirmed that there had been a self-administered screening test for cervical cancer in March 2023 but that too was normal.
“And no further testing was required for five years?” he was asked.
“That's correct,” he said.
Under questing from Colin Mandy SC, Dr Bersten agreed Mrs Patterson registered low potassium levels, elevated haemoglobin levels for a woman, and fibrinogen in the upper levels of the reference range; a low potassium result being consistent with a diarrhoeal illness.
“So, the combination of all of those things is what leads you to the conclusion that the evidence supports Erin Patterson becoming ill from the diarrhoeal illness and becoming somewhat dehydrated as a result?” said Mr Mandy in conclusion.
“Taken altogether, yes, that would be my conclusion on the basis you have summarised,” Dr Bersten said.
The trial continues in the Supreme Court in Morwell.
Erin Patterson, 50 of Leongatha, has pleaded not guilty to three charges of murder and one of attempted murder arising out of a family lunch at her home on Saturday, July 29, 2023 where it is alleged that four of her estranged husband’s family members got sick from eating a meal of beef Wellington containing death cap mushrooms. Three of them died in the days following the meal, of organ failure and acute liver damage, while Ian Wilkinson, the Pastor of the Korumburra Baptist Church survived after 54 days in hospital.
