(L.A.) Allen Mage, 84, Died in a Hospital

Case Number: 2024-15875

Los Angeles County is reporting the death of an 84-year-old White/Caucasian male that occurred in a hospital.

The coroner’s office has identified the man as Allen Mage.

Manner of Death: Accident

Cause of Death A: Sequelae of Septic Shock, Clinical

Cause of Death B: Intra-Abdominal Abscess, Clinical

Cause of Death C: Dislodged Gastrostomy Tube, Clinical

Other Significant Conditions: History of Stroke, Parkinsonism, Diabetes, and Dementia

RIP ALLEN MAGE (February 2, 1940 – September 20, 2024)

Formal pronouncement of death was made on Friday at 8:42 p.m.

Dislodged gastrostomy tubes can pose significant risks to patients, particularly when they are not recognized and managed promptly. Such dislodgements are often classified as iatrogenic, meaning they were caused unintentionally by a doctor or medical procedure.

Iatrogenic deaths are accidents, i.e., not from natural causes.

A gastrostomy tube is a medical device that provides a direct pathway into the stomach through the abdominal wall. This tube is primarily used for feeding patients who cannot consume enough nutrients orally due to various medical conditions.

Dislodgement of a gastrostomy tube can lead to serious complications, including sepsis, particularly when the dislodgement goes unnoticed. When a gastrostomy tube becomes dislodged, gastric contents may leak into the surrounding tissue, creating a risk of infection. If this leakage occurs, it can result in peritonitis, an inflammation of the abdominal cavity, which can subsequently progress to sepsis if bacteria enter the bloodstream. Delays in recognizing the dislodgement and addressing the resulting complications significantly increase the risk of severe outcomes, including death.