A coroner has warned that if guidelines are not up-to-date with international learning more lives could be at risk following an inquest into the death of a man at a Suffolk hospital. 

Brian Beer died peacefully at West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St Edmunds, on March 1 of small bowel ischaemia as a result of a blood clot in an artery.

This type of blood clot is a recognised complication of surgery on a hip fracture, and Mr Beer had a left femur head replacement on January 8 following a hip fracture after a fall. 

During an inquest into Mr Beer's death, which concluded on September 6, coroner Peter Taheri found the development of the complication was "contributed to by the fact that local guidelines were followed as to the cessation of prophylactic anti-coagulants after surgery, whereas evolving international policy indicates that prophylaxis should be continued for a longer time period." 

In a recently-published Prevention of Future Deaths report, Mr Taheri wrote: "The cessation of anti-coagulation in Mr Beer’s case at the time it was ceased contributed to his death." 

He said that if National Institute for Health & Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines, which were followed in this case, do not reflect "the most up-to-date international learning" then there could be a risk of future deaths.

NICE offers evidence-based recommendations to the health and social care sector which are developed by independent committees.

The coroner's report has been sent to NICE, which must now reply within 56 days, and a copy has been sent to West Suffolk Hospital as an interested party. 

A NICE spokesperson said: "We will consider the issues raised by the report and respond to the coroner directly.

"We follow an established process when making sure our published guidelines are current and accurate and take a proactive approach to responding to events (with an assessment of priority) that may impact on our recommendations.

"You can read our clinical guideline on reducing the risk of hospital-acquired blood clots here: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng89."