Gambo man files complaint against Central Health over treatment of loved one
The condition of a loved one after six weeks in the provincial health care system has Ron Carter frustrated and looking for answers.
The Gambo man’s common law spouse, Kim Brentnall, was admitted to James Patton Memorial Regional Health Centre in Gander July 5 after her arm went numb. It was eventually determined the 53-year-old had a stroke. Throughout her hospital stay, she suffered from appetite loss and refused to eat.
“We were trying everything, and the nurses knew she wasn’t eating,” Carter said, but nothing was done.
A month after being admitted, in a weak condition, Brentnall was transferred to the Dr. Leonard A. Miller Centre in St. John’s for rehabilitation, Carter said.
“In those four weeks, she hadn’t eaten two cups of food,” he said. “She was extremely sick and it was quite shocking to us that they would send her for rehab.”
Her time in St. John’s didn’t go any better and on Aug. 15, Brentnall was moved to St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital’s intensive care unit, also in St. John’s, to be treated for starvation.
“She was six weeks starving to death,” Carter said. “Her blood levels were zero, her kidneys had stopped working, her liver stopped functioning and she was full of infection.”
The use of a gastric tube slowly brought her nutrition levels back up.
“She’s been fighting the effects of starvation ever since,” said Carter.
Because of the extreme lack of energy, she was unable to move, and Brentnall is riddled with bedsores.
“She’s got bedsores on the sides of her feet, back, tailbone and ear,” he said. “She can move her right arm and her head, that’s it.”
As of Nov. 14, Brentnall had been returned to James Patton Memorial Regional Health Centre, and her condition remained the same.
Carter claims if her nutritional problems had been addressed immediately, Brentall’s health problems wouldn’t be what they are today.
He has filed a complaint through the province’s Adult Protection Act to try to determine at what point a feeding tube should have been put in place.
“We are all shocked at what happened and we need to know who would be at fault or if there was any kind of negligence,” he said. “Because it sure seems to me like something wrong happened here.”
171 reports in six months
The Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development, which oversees the Adult Protection Act, can’t talk about individual cases, but an emailed statement says within the first six months of 2018, it received 171 reports. The act is designed to protect adults who do not understand or appreciate the risk of abuse and neglect.
The Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development couldn’t quantify how many of the complaints were health-care related as, “this information is not recorded in a form that can be aggregated for reporting purposes,” read a statement emailed to The Central Voice.
Since the Adult Protection Act was introduced in June 2014, more than 1,200 reports have been received. Seventyfive per cent of these reports were about adults over the age of 60.
“While we cannot speak to the specific circumstances of each case, we can confirm that there are currently six adults in the province who are under the care and custody of the provincial director of adult protection,” the statement read. “Less than 10 per cent of the reports received since 2014 have proceeded to investigation.”
After a complaint is received, a social worker is assigned the case to see if there is merit for further action or investigation.
In cases where an investigation is warranted, the department consults with regional health authorities and community support services and agencies to have supports in place so an adult’s best interests are protected. Following an investigation, if the risk associated with the adult protection report cannot be mitigated through professional supports or services, and the adult lacks capacity, the department can apply to the court for a declaration that the adult is in need of protective intervention.
Central Health
According to Central Health, from Jan. 1 to Nov. 13, the regional health authority received 641 client relations reports — 492 concerns, 92 inquiries and 57 compliments.
Of the total, 220 were related to care and treatment (159 concerns, 13 inquiries and 48 compliments).
While it doesn’t comment on specific cases, such as Carter’s concerns, the health authority’s statement said Central Health is committed to providing a safe environment for its clients. They say programs and services are developed, delivered and monitored according to national and provincial standards, and are guided by best practices and the health authority’s values — compassion, accountability, respect, equity and safety.
Furthermore, the regional health authority said it is committed to continuous improvement and recognizes the importance of patient and family voices in making a better health care system.
Once a concern is brought forward, it is reviewed by the service area manager, and other members surrounding the complaint may be involved. The time to review and address concerns can vary depending on the nature of the issue.