
In a striking revelation, a meticulous probe into the medical attention accorded to five individuals held at Edmonton Remand Centre offered evidence pointing to “grave and substantial professional misconduct”. The whistleblower-led exposé instigated by Alberta’s Public Interest Commissioner, Kevin Brezinski, on Wednesday, reflected “erratic and subjective” healthcare practices.
Documentation failed to disclose identities of the concerned prisoners or the medical caregivers, showcasing a negligent regard for standard record keeping. Dates corresponding to the incidents in reference also remained unmentioned.
Brezinski’s deep dive into five distinct cases revealed that among them, four prisoners were hospitalized, while two didn’t survive. Aided by a seasoned nursing consultant, he analyzed the documented medical histories and treatment details of these patients.
Brezinski found, “The requirement for medical personnel to repeatedly evaluate, or their episodic less than sufficient reassessment of emerging symptoms was glaringly absent in four scenarios, presenting symptoms of pain, laboured breathing, abnormal vital sign readings, or unusually high temperature.”
“One striking irregularity was a patient’s black and discoloured, fluid-swollen toe going untreated for two full days after initially being noticed,” he noted.
Brezinski’s damning report also pointed out multiple gaps in medical documentation, illegible handwriting within records, and a blatant disregard for the statutory standards established by Alberta Health Services (AHS).
Arguing that this shocking deviation from acceptable healthcare practices constituted an immediate danger to the lives, health, and safety of patients receiving treatment at the correctional centre, Brezinski termed it as “grave and significant wrongdoing”.
An AHS spokesperson reacted to the report by extending “sincerest condolences” to those affected in a statement to CTV News Edmonton on Wednesday, and assuring the same uniform, superior quality care to all in the corrections system.
Concerning rectification, Brezinski recommended that AHS critically review their current practices and the cases in question, suggesting a switch to digital records, augmenting their legibility and accessibility.
He acknowledged AHS’ awareness of some of the cases flagged and their proactive strides towards reform. Their cooperative attitude towards his investigation cheered him.
Brezinski expressed his optimism towards the organization’s efforts to rectify systemic flaws identified in his probe and keenness to implement his recommendations.
AHS has already appointed a new nursing professional practice consultant to streamline rules and reassess them, informed Williamson. This position would enforce fresh policies and mandatory practices for recording vital signs and managing pain, wound care, drug and alcohol withdrawal.
A subsequent whistleblower disclosure mentioned another two patients. However, these cases weren’t examined by the nursing consultant hence, no determination was made by Brezinski. He did highlight that Corrections Health has voiced concerns on those instances, indicating all seven cases.
Edmonton Remand Centre, in the northern part of the city, at 184 Avenue and 127 Street, has the capacity to hold 1,952 individuals awaiting trial.