On the day Heather Winterstein passed away at the St. Catharines, Ont., hospital, her skin looked off-color and she seemed to be struggling in a wheelchair, a woman waiting for a doctor recounted during a coroner’s inquest.
Emmaleen Young is thought to be the last person to have spoken with Winterstein. She succumbed to sepsis on Dec. 10, 2021.
During her testimony on Friday, Young said she can’t shake the memory of how terrified Winterstein looked right before she collapsed in the emergency department’s waiting area.
“She just looked terrified. In her eyes, I could see it.”
“That’s what gets me: She clearly wanted help.”
Young is one of several witnesses who’ve shared their experiences leading up to Winterstein’s death at the hospital, which was officially renamed Marotta Family Hospital in 2024. Over 20 people are expected to provide testimony over a span of 13 days. The hearings began virtually on March 30.
An Ontario coroner’s jury is charged with uncovering facts related to this case and may offer recommendations to prevent similar incidents but does not assign blame or determine guilt or innocence.
No urgency seen here.- Emmaleen Young recounting experience.. . Fighting tears now recalling those moments where Heather’s open eyes weren’t blinking….
A group including doctors/nurses/security guards came rushing through double doors heading toward where winterstien lay sprawled out...
“Wasn’t really feeling any sense of urgency!”
Young mentioned these workers proceeded putting Summer back into stretcher form transporting them towards Emergency department afterwards. A day prior they worked diligently attempting resuscitating until finally pronounced dead later same night – exactly @8:42 PM. Brought about family/community organizations raising voices concerning matters surrounding discrimination tied within addiction practices alongside anti-Indigenous racism impacting care rendered unto our own people too often it seems since passing occurred ; meanwhile Emmaleen recognized this situation finding herself asking – did perceive resemblance regarding indigenous identity? To which responded affirmatively saying yes indeed..
Source link
‘I could see she is not OK’
Young remembered being in the crowded waiting room that afternoon on Dec. 10 when she noticed a man pushing Winterstein towards a triage nurse station just two meters from her seat. “I could see she’s not OK,” Young remarked about Winterstein. “She was clearly having issues controlling her body. She was very shaky.” “She was slumped in a weird position on the [wheel]chair.” Young also observed that Winterstein’s body appeared discolored. “She had this blotchy rash. It was on her face, on her neck, on her tummy. I could see it everywhere on her body.” According to Young, Winterstein seemed to say something brief to the triage nurse, but received a sharp reply instead. “I heard the nurse say, ‘We’ll be with you in a moment, Heather.’ I felt it was belittling. It was quite shocking to me.” “I felt Heather was an inconvenience to this triage nurse.” Winterstein had experienced an extreme reaction due to a bacterial infection that led to sepsis-a dangerous condition that harms the body’s own tissues and organs.Sought help over 2-day period
The day before Young spoke at the inquest, a triage nurse testified that staff were overwhelmed by patients waiting in the room on Dec. 10 partly because of COVID-19 pandemic pressures. Young said she asked Winterstein if she needed assistance and noticed that Winterstein stuttered while trying to respond with “no.” Winterstein first sought help from the hospital on Dec. 9 after arriving by ambulance due to pain following what had been described as falling down stairs earlier that week. She received Tylenol and left with instructions to return if things got worse. A pink prom dress worn by Winterstein was displayed at an event honoring her life in Fort Erie, Ont., days before the inquest started March 30.(Paul Forsyth/CBC) The emergency physician who assessed her concluded “social issues” were behind her visit according to previous testimonies during this inquiry. The next day she returned via ambulance and ended up sitting in waiting for hours until seeing a doctor again; despite rules stating reassessments should occur every 15 minutes given severity of conditions-none happened during those two-and-a-half hours while she waited according Thursday’s hearing notes! Around that time frame eventually led into noting around noon when everything stopped moving entirely.. At precisely 2:41 p. m., she collapsed! “Her body folds onto itself like head feels heavy! Then boom – hits top thighs & falls flat outta chair down floor!”No urgency seen here.- Emmaleen Young recounting experience.. . Fighting tears now recalling those moments where Heather’s open eyes weren’t blinking….
A group including doctors/nurses/security guards came rushing through double doors heading toward where winterstien lay sprawled out...
“Wasn’t really feeling any sense of urgency!”
Young mentioned these workers proceeded putting Summer back into stretcher form transporting them towards Emergency department afterwards. A day prior they worked diligently attempting resuscitating until finally pronounced dead later same night – exactly @8:42 PM. Brought about family/community organizations raising voices concerning matters surrounding discrimination tied within addiction practices alongside anti-Indigenous racism impacting care rendered unto our own people too often it seems since passing occurred ; meanwhile Emmaleen recognized this situation finding herself asking – did perceive resemblance regarding indigenous identity? To which responded affirmatively saying yes indeed..
Triage nursing Andrea Demery confirmed previously unaware knowing background though!
Denying accusations made against him
Dr. Emad Nour returns today providing second round answers regarding performance dated from assessment given back December ninth; Rachael Gardner representing family’s interests accused him misrepresenting information within notes made whilst documenting necessary findings per patient evaluations conducted earlier reported revealing critical indicators showing limbs checked confirming possible infections seen based upon understanding gathered between both parties initially involved together. The image shows The St. Catharines hospital bearing new title Marotta Family name under recent changes via Google Maps display location ! “It’s complete fabrication,” Gardner insisted when bringing attention forward asserting whenever discovering drug use disorder present afterward would have impacted conclusions drawn erroneously away instead focusing solely toward psychological reasoning possibly affecting overall health status likely underlying factors contributing daily struggles faced therein. Nour firmly disagreed claiming he’d prefer resting well knowing his work remains honest true without deception attaching — ensuring accuracy remains priority utmost importance even if challenging navigating complex nature cases encountered routinely. In demonstrating evidence supporting varied claims raised against him throughout years past examples emerged illustrating complaints lodged either directly resulting follow-ups necessitated clarifications needing resolution addressing growing concerns voiced publicly! Dr. David Eden presiding officer overseeing activities affirmed orders ensuring Niagara Health accountable delivering documentation revealing detailed responses collected aimed improving patient satisfaction delivered timely manner throughout each process handled seamlessly thereby enhancing overall quality services offered subsequently thereafter improving future considerations met effectively streamlined protocols! Among other complaints surfaced discussing instances surrounding inappropriate questioning directed students suffering ailments prompted conversations involving potentially sensitive subjects relating matters beyond scope typical procedures undertaken then followed suit leaving many feeling frustrated after each encounter thus negatively impacting general experience undergone across board ! So therefore Nour defended himself citing radiologist recommendations guiding inquiries attempted clarify situations however resulting misunderstandings still persistent.. “I apologize deeply regrettably having initiated uncomfortable dialogues between myself others..” concluding adding complexity faced countless patients dissatisfied remaining no doubt inevitable portion realities shaping every aspect care provided elsewhere.Source link
