An elderly hospital patient shares her story about being sent away from a hospital before she was completely healed and placed in a motel. Beth Macdonell explains.
A senior woman is raising concerns after being released from a hospital in Oshawa to a motel in Bowmanville, Ont., following an extended stay.
“I was shocked. I thought it was a dive,” Dorothy Spulnick, 82, told Toronto on Thursday.
Spulnick, who suffers from severe COPD, said that after over six weeks at Lakeridge Health Oshawa in May and June, and with no home of her own, she was sent to Liberty Inn in Bowmanville, Ont.
She explained that the hospital arranged for a taxi to take her to meet a personal support worker at the motel along with two days’ worth of medication and oxygen. Spulnick mentioned arriving without meals or shoes.
Liberty Inn, Bowmanville An outside shot of Liberty Inn in Bowmanville.
“How can they do this to anybody? It’s very … I don’t know. It’s so selfish and mean to think they treat people my age this way,” she said.
Spulnick’s family stated they were not informed about her discharge, and an advocacy agency working on her behalf received notification through a letter.
Lakeridge Health Oshawa hospital Lakeridge Health Oshawa hospital is pictured.
Meanwhile, her family says the hospital system wasn’t helpful in getting their loved one onto the crisis list for long-term care since they couldn’t safely bring her home due to complex care needs.
“When you have an 82-year-old who needs oxygen management, I don’t think a hotel is an option for that. That to me is insane,” Spulnick’s daughter Tammy Vandersanden said.
“They cannot care for themselves. I get if you’re having a patient who is capable of movement (or) breathing fine; not someone in her situation.”
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Tammy Vandersanden Dorothy Spulnick’s daughter Tammy Vandersanden is pictured.
In the end, Spulnick never stayed at the Bowmanville motel but went instead to Cobourg Hospital for care.
With various help secured , she’s now been added t o th e crisis list fo r long-term care , staying w ith family until finding a permanent place.
“I’m speaking out because I don’t think it’s fair the way they are treating seniors. I think it’s disgusting. It really is,” Spulnick said.
Patients Can Be Discharged To Temporary Accommodations: Lakeridge Health
Toronto asked Lakeridge Health how often patients have been sent t o hotels or motels in th e past five years. They said th ey couldn’t provide th e exact number but acknowledged there have been situations where temporary accommodations , like hotels , were seen as appropriate discharge destinations. The health system cited privacy laws as th e reason it couldn’t specifically comment on Spulnick’s case.
“The safety and wellbeing of our patients is our highest priority. Discharge planning i s an individualized process led by th e patient’s interprofessional care team i n collaboration with th e patient , family members , and caregivers , where appropriate,” Lakeridge Health stated.
“Decisions about discharge are based on each patient’s clinical needs , with th e care team working alongside community partners t o support coordinated transition t o th e most appropriate care setting.”
Hospital Says Spulnick No Longer Needed Treatment
A letter from Lakeridge Health addressed to Spulnick that was shared with Toronto indicated that she no longer needed treatment and that the physician discharged her on June 17 before being taken to the inn on June 25. The letter also mentioned that Spulnick “refused” to leave the hospital and didn’t “meaningfully participate in discharge planning.” However, Spulnick claimed she did not feel ready or healthy enough to leave the hospital.Lakeridge Health Oshawa hospital Lakeridge Health Oshawa hospital is pictured.
Meanwhile, her family says the hospital system wasn’t helpful in getting their loved one onto the crisis list for long-term care since they couldn’t safely bring her home due to complex care needs.
“When you have an 82-year-old who needs oxygen management, I don’t think a hotel is an option for that. That to me is insane,” Spulnick’s daughter Tammy Vandersanden said.
“They cannot care for themselves. I get if you’re having a patient who is capable of movement (or) breathing fine; not someone in her situation.”
Patients Can Be Discharged To Temporary Accommodations: Lakeridge Health
Toronto asked Lakeridge Health how often patients have been sent t o hotels or motels in th e past five years. They said th ey couldn’t provide th e exact number but acknowledged there have been situations where temporary accommodations , like hotels , were seen as appropriate discharge destinations. The health system cited privacy laws as th e reason it couldn’t specifically comment on Spulnick’s case.
“The safety and wellbeing of our patients is our highest priority. Discharge planning i s an individualized process led by th e patient’s interprofessional care team i n collaboration with th e patient , family members , and caregivers , where appropriate,” Lakeridge Health stated.
“Decisions about discharge are based on each patient’s clinical needs , with th e care team working alongside community partners t o support coordinated transition t o th e most appropriate care setting.”
Ontario Minister of Health Responds
Toronto also contacted Ontario Minister of Health’s office regarding this situation involving discharging patients t o motels.
“Our government expects all hospitals t o provide safe , high-quality care patients deserve while fully meeting their obligations under th e Public Hospitals Act. This includes having process es f or addressing patient relations concerns ,” it stated.
“It i s clinical decision made by healthcare professional which determines when t o discharge patients an d what services they require following discharge. The Ministry of Health isn’t involved i n these decisions.”
Th E STATEMENT ADDRESSED THAT CONCERNS REGARDING PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT CAN BE REPORTED TO VARIOUS REGULATORY COLLEGES RESPONSIBLE FOR INVESTIGATING COMPLAINTS.
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