Close X
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
ADVT 
National

Inquest To Examine Death Of Woman Sent Home From Winnipeg Hospital In Taxi

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 10 May, 2015 02:20 PM
    WINNIPEG — A woman whose mother died hours after being sent home in a cab from hospital is hoping an inquest that is to start Monday will provide some answers and help her heal.
     
    Heather Brenan collapsed on her doorstep in January 2012 and was rushed back to Winnipeg's Seven Oaks Hospital, where she died from a blood clot that had moved to her lungs.
     
    Months later, two other patients were sent home in taxis from the Grace Hospital and died before they got inside their front doors. The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority said there was no systemic problem and an internal investigation found the hospital did nothing wrong.
     
    Dana Brenan said her 68-year-old mother spent four days in the emergency room and was sent home at night without her house keys.
     
    "They just shoved her in a taxi and sent her home. That's not right," Brenan said. "I'd like to see things like that stopping, but clearly they're still happening."
     
    Manitoba's chief medical examiner called the inquest in 2013 to look into Brenan's death and to "examine hospital policy regarding the discharge of patients at night, particularly those who are elderly, frail, and who reside alone."
     
    The inquest, scheduled to sit for three weeks, is also to determine whether a shortage of acute-care beds might have been a factor in Brenan's death.
     
    The health authority updated its discharge guidelines, but Brenan's daughter said there are still problems. Hospital staff should be well educated on a standard policy that ensures vulnerable people aren't sent home alone at night, she said.
     
    "The policies are written, put on a shelf, and nobody is ensuring that they're being followed. I'd like more accountability."
     
    Miles Pollack has little faith in the inquest.
     
    His uncle, David Silver, was found frozen on his doorstep about 14 hours after he had been sent home in the middle of a frigid winter night last year.
     
    An autopsy found his death was due to a heart condition, but Pollack said no one at the health authority really examined why a 78-year-old man was sent home alone in a cab in the dead of winter.
     
    He said his confidence is shaken after an internal investigation absolved hospital officials.
     
    "My expectations aren't that high," he said. "I sure hope that they do something because even one death is way, way too much."
     
    After the death of another patient, 62-year-old Wayne Miller, then-health minister Erin Selby instructed all health authorities to ensure that patients sent home in cabs make it into their homes. Miller was  spotted on a sidewalk by a passing driver who called 911.
     
    Brad Hartle, spokesman for Health Minister Sharon Blady, said in a statement that the province is looking for "answers on what could have been done differently or better in the case of Ms. Brenan and to further make sure patients are being discharged appropriately and safely."
     
    Felicia Wiltshire, spokeswoman for the Winnipeg health authority, said in a statement that officials are focused on "continuous improvement" and look forward to the inquest's recommendations. She wouldn't discuss changes to the hospital discharge process.
     
    For Dana Brenan, the inquest is as much about healing as it is about forcing change.
     
    "I am hoping for closure," she said. "I don't know whether this inquest will bring that about."

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Abbotsford Teen Hit By Car Dies In Hospital: Police

    Abbotsford Teen Hit By Car Dies In Hospital: Police
    ABBOTSFORD, B.C. — Police say a teenager is dead after being hit by a car in Abbotsford, B.C. Officers say the 19-year-old was severely injured in the incident at about 9:40 p.m. Thursday.

    Abbotsford Teen Hit By Car Dies In Hospital: Police

    Moga's Shame: After Teen Molestation In Badal's Bus, Now Young Woman Alleges Gangrape

    Moga's Shame: After Teen Molestation In Badal's Bus, Now Young Woman Alleges Gangrape
    The victim, aged 23, claimed that she was gang-raped by her friend's husband and others on the intervening night of April 29 and 30 (Wednesday and Thursday) at a secluded house in Marhi Mustafa village near Moga,

    Moga's Shame: After Teen Molestation In Badal's Bus, Now Young Woman Alleges Gangrape

    Moga Bus Molestation: 13-Year-Old Girl Dies After Being Thrown From Badal Family's Bus; 4 Arrested

    Moga Bus Molestation: 13-Year-Old Girl Dies After Being Thrown From Badal Family's Bus; 4 Arrested
    Police said that four people, including the bus driver, conductor and helper, were arrested on Thursday, and a case of murder, attempt to murder and molestation slapped on them.

    Moga Bus Molestation: 13-Year-Old Girl Dies After Being Thrown From Badal Family's Bus; 4 Arrested

    Allan Schoenborn, B.C. Dad, Who Killed 3 Kids Says He'll Try To Control Anger If Allowed Outings

    Allan Schoenborn, B.C. Dad, Who Killed 3 Kids Says He'll Try To Control Anger If Allowed Outings
    COQUITLAM, B.C. — A B.C. man who murdered his three children has promised he won't try to escape if he gets permission to go on escorted outings from a psychiatric hospital.

    Allan Schoenborn, B.C. Dad, Who Killed 3 Kids Says He'll Try To Control Anger If Allowed Outings

    West Vancouver Teen Investigated For Attempted Murder In Attack On Family Member: Police

    West Vancouver Teen Investigated For Attempted Murder In Attack On Family Member: Police
    VANCOUVER — Police say a 16-year-old West Vancouver resident is being investigated for attempted murder after a violent attack on a family member.

    West Vancouver Teen Investigated For Attempted Murder In Attack On Family Member: Police

    Topless Pro-Abortion Protester Disrupts News Conference In Quebec As Archbishop Reads Pope's Message

    Topless Pro-Abortion Protester Disrupts News Conference In Quebec As Archbishop Reads Pope's Message
    QUEBEC — A bare-chested female activist disrupted a news conference in Quebec City today and denounced what she called anti-abortion legislation.

    Topless Pro-Abortion Protester Disrupts News Conference In Quebec As Archbishop Reads Pope's Message