Winnipeg family raising concerns after death at St. Boniface hospital

A Winnipeg family is expressing concerns about delays in emergency care and is demanding answers after the death of a loved one at St. Boniface hospital.

Sixty-eight-year-old Judy Burns died in the hospital on Jan. 21 after three days in the hospital.

Burns’ elder daughter Chelsea Mann says she was concerned about the care her mother received.

On the morning of Jan. 19, Samantha Burns, Mann’s younger sister found their mother unconscious with some blood on the floor next to her bed.

Burns was rushed to St. Boniface Hospital by ambulance where she got blood work done, an EKG, a CT scan and was given some IV fluids, Mann said.

Mann said the hospital told the family that Burns had diverticulosis.

“We requested a scope at that time, and he said that it was not needed as your mom is fine. She is elderly. This is totally normal for someone in her age. We did say our mom is only 68. We don’t believe that is considered elderly,” Mann said.

They claim their concerns for their mother’s health were dismissed for the rest of the day — until later that evening Burns’ condition worsened. Her heart stopped and she had to go into surgery, according to Mann.

 “It took multiple tries for (Samantha) to call someone, she actually had to leave the room to scream for a nurse for someone to come. It took a few minutes for a doctor to come, and she said at that time they were still just talking. Nothing was happening,” Mann said.

After surgery, Burns was on life support and placed in an induced paralyzed state, Mann said.

On Jan. 21, the Burns family was told their mother would be in a vegetative state and that’s when they decided to take her off life support.

 “We knew our mom would never want to live like that, she wouldn’t want that,” Mann said.

Another Winnipegger, Garry Comegan, 71, said he had a concerning trip to St. Boniface last year.

Comegan said he was rushed to St. Boniface Hospital by ambulance after what he said were heart complications. At that time, he said he was sent home after being told he was fine.

However, two weeks later he was rushed back again to St. Boniface with the same symptoms.

Thanks to his daughter’s insistence, he had extra testing done after which the hospital realized that Comegan needed an open-heart surgery.

“She told them, ‘you better get this thing done because you never know if he is going to live or not. Another heart attack he might not make it,’” Comegan said.

He said he was fortunate enough to be alive.

The Winnipeg regional health authority told CityNews, in a statement,

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family during this very difficult time on the passing of their loved one. We are committed to supporting the family with care and compassion and our patient relations team has been in contact to hear to their concerns. medical leadership and patient safety teams at St. Boniface hospital are reviewing the circumstances to determine appropriate follow-up. we are unable to provide further details due to patient privacy laws.”

As for the Burns family, they are hoping this does not happen to another family.

“She was definitely our whole entire world, we were incredibly close, my sister and I and really the whole entire family. She definitely was the anchor of our family,” Mann said.

“Saying someone is elderly, isn’t okay. everyone deserves the same type of care,” Mann said.