Candida Macarine’s family calls report into Lakeshore ER deaths ‘a huge letdown’

The family of an 86-year-old woman found dead on the floor at the Lakeshore Hospital two years ago says a recent report on the state of care in the ER offers few answers into her death.

Candida Macarine was found dead at Lakeshore on Feb. 27, 2021, one day after being admitted to the hospital due to respiratory distress.

In the more than two years that have followed, Macarine’s children have been searching for answers and solace.

They say the independent report released last week into problems plaguing the hospital’s emergency room provided neither of those things.

“The report is a huge letdown for the families of those who died perhaps needlessly,” said daughter Gilda Macarine.

“I’m deeply frustrated, disappointed and felt neglected not only from the hospital management, the Lakeshore General Hospital, but from the government of Quebec.”

The 46-page report was prepared by Francine Dupuis, a retired executive at one of Montreal’s regional health boards. It was ordered by Quebec’s health minister in February after a series of Montreal Gazette articles about six deaths over the past four years that health-care workers described as preventable.

Dupuis’ report made 135 recommendations for improving the situation at the Lakeshore’s ER.

‘We were neglected’

Emmanuel Macarine, Candida’s son, called the report a letdown, feeling it did not hold anyone accountable.

“The reports mentioned so little about the patients who died in that emergency,” he said.

“It should have been a patient-centered investigation, but we were neglected. Again.”

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MORE ON CANDIDA MACARINE’S DEATH: 

• Family of woman found dead on Lakeshore ER floor demands investigation into ‘possible cover-up’ by hospital
• ‘Shocking slap in the face’: Coroner denies investigation request into Filipino mother’s death
• Family wants new investigation into Filipino mother’s death after accessing hospital records
• Montreal family unsatisfied with coroner’s report into death of 86-year-old Filipino mother in hospital
• ‘What really happened’: Family remains in the dark about grandmother’s death; report expected soon (March 2022)

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A September 2022 coroner’s report said Macarine likely died naturally of a heart attack. It stopped short of alleging neglect by staff.

Two months later, the Quebec coroner’s office rejected a request by Macarine’s family to reopen the investigation. The family claimed the coroner failed to correctly look at all the medical information at her disposal.

While the Macarines were initially pleased to see the Quebec government launch an independent investigation into the emergency room, they say they are still angry at the lack of answers.

“There was recommendations saying don’t give clerical tasks to nurses, do you really need a management consultant to say that to nurses?” said Fo Niemi, the executive director of the the Centre for Research-Action on Race Relations (CRARR). “That basically is so when people, health care providers do a good job, they should be congratulated.

“What’s missing in here is about the patients’ well-being.”

Recommendations were common knowledge, family says

Recommendations were divided into main themes including better communication, decentralizing tasks and quality assurance. Other recommendations included appointing a full-time director of the ER to work on site; fixing broken medical devices and acquiring new equipment; and creating a better work culture.

Emmanuel says those recommendations were simply common knowledge.

“It’s not something new to us. We knew that from the beginning,” he said. “They were made aware of this problem even before my mom’s death and yet nothing happened.”

The CIUSS that overseas Lakeshore General Hospital told CityNews they are carefully analyzing each recommendation, and that things must continue to improve for the well-being of patients and the working conditions of employees.

The regional health authority says it’s already increased the amount of staff in the ER, and invested in clinical support to give staff a reduced workload.

“Remember that the acquisition of the new modular will allow us to temporarily respond to the issue of dilapidation of the current emergency: an emergency that meets standards, additional stretchers, increased security will provide better access to the care and services provided to the population. Clinical teams will also benefit from an adequate working environment,” wrote the CIUSSS de l’Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal.

The Macarine family is calling on others in their shoes to come together to demand answers.

“If nobody will step forward and speak and look for justice, they will continue,” said Gilda. “Because the government… they’re not concerned (with) the deaths.”

CRARR says it will help the family move forward with complaints to the Order of Nurses and the College of Physicians.

“When are we going to find out the truth?” asked Emmanuel.