Witnesses talk to a patient who died in the Fredericton ER waiting room

A man who witnessed the death of a patient in the emergency department waiting room at Fredericton Hospital this week says his state’s health system is “broken.”

Housing support worker John Staples, who witnessed the incident around midnight on July 11, said on social media that the experience needed to significantly improve New Brunswick’s health care system. “.

Staples posted details of the scene to Facebook On July 12, I was immediately infected with the virus.

In an interview with the Canadian Press on July 13, Staples saw a man who looked very uncomfortable when he was waiting for hours in a wheelchair, and with his client an emergency at Everett Charmers Regional Hospital. He said he was in the treatment room. He seemed to fall asleep.

“The ER attendant came out to check people and checked him,” Staples said.

“She came back to the ER very professionally, but without warning and came back with a few others. They moved him back and they did, as they did. Called Code Blue, “he added, referring to the hospital code for cardiac arrest or respiratory arrest.

“Unfortunately, the gentleman died with us. He was literally at the limit of treatment and couldn’t.”

Staples said it wasn’t the fault of the ER nurses and staff, and although they seemed to be stretched, they said something needed to change the state’s health system.

Ongoing review

The Horizon Health Network, a local health authority, has confirmed the death of an individual in the emergency department waiting room at Fredericton Hospital and said an investigation is underway.

“Horizon will thoroughly review the unexpected deaths that occur at the facility to determine what happened and whether more action is needed,” said Dr. John Donan, president of Horizon Health. CBC News..

“We immediately started the review process because it is related to this case. We would like to express our deepest sympathies to this individual’s family and patronage.”

State Health Minister Dorothy Shepherd also issued a statement saying she was “deeply sad and worried” to learn about the patient’s death.

In a statement in an email on July 14, Shepard said, “I would like to sympathize with my personal family and friends,” and asked Donan to begin a review “for a complete understanding” of the case. He added that he did.

“We know that the healthcare system is facing challenges and frontline staff are working hard. All New Brunswick and all healthcare professionals are affected by this story. There is no doubt that we are all there and we all want to know that it is there when we ask for help and we can provide it. “

“As the review progresses, we expect to receive more information from Horizon stakeholders in the next few days, and the Ministry of Health is providing support to help us in every way we can. “Masu,” she added.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.

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Isaac Teo is a Toronto-based Epoch Times reporter.