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Delayed Care, Lost Life: A Hospital's Critical Fail
13 Sep
Summary
- Woman died after waiting over 12 hours for initial assessment.
- Pneumonia diagnosis delayed, leading to cardiac arrest and death.
- Hospital acknowledges multiple factors contributed to care delays.
A critical incident report released eight months after Stacey Ross's death highlights "several factors" contributing to delays in her care at Winnipeg St. Boniface Hospital. The 55-year-old died in January after experiencing severe chest pain. Initially, she waited over 12 hours before being assessed, with the report citing long wait times and limited treatment spaces.
Elevated troponin blood test results were reportedly missed, and her chest pain concerns were not immediately communicated to a physician. She was eventually admitted for pneumonia, but later suffered cardiac arrest and passed away. The hospital is implementing recommendations, including rapid cardiology consultations and improved nurse monitoring protocols.
Manitoba's Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara stated that all recommendations are being actioned to strengthen emergency care. However, Stacey's sister expressed frustration, feeling the report offers no real change or closure. Current median wait times in Winnipeg emergency rooms remain high, with St. Boniface reporting a nine-hour wait as of Friday afternoon.
