Coroner investigating death of 84-year-old woman in Montreal ER | 24CA News
The Quebec coroner’s workplace has opened an investigation into the dying of an 84-year-old lady at the Jewish General Hospital’s emergency room in Montreal final month.
The coroner confirms the girl was taken to the ER Nov. 26 the place she died, as first reported by Global News.
The coroner’s workplace refused to remark or give particulars, because the investigation is ongoing, however mentioned an in depth report shedding mild on the causes and circumstances of the dying might be made public as soon as the investigation is full.
A coroner may make suggestions to forestall future related deaths, mentioned a spokesperson for the coroner.
Swamped ERs
Patient deaths in emergency rooms are comparatively uncommon, however the numbers have risen barely during the last two years, mentioned Dr. Judy Morris, head of the Quebec Association of Emergency Physicians.
“It’s a signal that we must take very seriously,” mentioned Morris.
Sometimes, ER employees are unaware of underlying circumstances when sufferers arrive and deaths can occur unexpectedly. Still, dying charges in ERs stay beneath 0.5 per cent, she mentioned.
Many of those that die in emergency rooms possible required care elsewhere earlier than their situation worsened, with a main care doctor or a specialist to maintain them steady, mentioned Morris.
“It’s worrisome to hear stories like this, to hear stories of patients dying at home waiting for an ambulance, patients dying in ambulances, dying in waiting rooms or dying in higher numbers in the emergency rooms across Canada,” she mentioned.
“It tells us maybe we’re not able to take care of that demand.”
Even earlier than the pandemic hit Montreal hospitals, ERs within the metropolis had been working at close to capability and had been typically swamped throughout flu season.
With the rise within the unfold of infectious ailments and the scarcity of employees — who’ve give up or are out sick themselves — “it’s both hardships hitting us at the same time,” mentioned Morris.
“These are all things that have to make us ask, is the system able to answer the needs of the population that require urgent care?”
But Morris sees options.
Health-care staff are mobilizing, non permanent emergency providers have been put in place and the federal government has created a particular committee to deal with the issue.
Still, Morris says the opposite items in hospitals and different physicians must share some weight as “the solution doesn’t lie in the emergency rooms [alone].”
