A touching video presentation
set to music.
Baby Annie died in a world class Children's Hospital
within 24 hours arrival at the age of 80 days.
The events that transpired in those hours involved
violations in health care Laws, hospital policies,
professional codes of ethics and indeed there
is a strong suspicion of criminal actions. The
final medication report is missing and the narcotic
cabinet reveals that over 30 times the amount
of morphine ordered was removed from the cabinet,
with none shown as wasted or returned.
The Coroner's Pediatric Death Review Committee
determined that the care provided was not appropriate
and that it was by no means certain that Annie
needed stressful surgery or prolonged intubation.
She was never on life support. A specific cause
of death could not be determined so the Coroner
determined that the death was due to "complications
of trisomy 13".
Although the Chief of the Critical Care admitted
that the actions of his staff were "unacceptable"
and the hospital provided a written apology for
ineffective communication, effective and sincere
plans for improvement could not be developed in
collaboration with the hospital.
The United Nation's High Commissioner's Office
became aware of the case and described many ratified
conventions under which complaints could be made.
Annie's family has made a complaint with Human
Rights and appealed for a Coroner's Inquest with
the support of many major disability groups.
All children, regardless of genetic disposition,
deserve a chance if the family determines that
it is in their best interest. Otherwise, they
deserve a peaceful and dignified death. Annie
was denied both. |
