Edmonton Father, 44, Dies After 8-Hour ER Wait for Doctor

A family in Edmonton is mourning the loss of Prashant Sreekumar, a 44-year-old father of three. He passed away after enduring an eight-hour wait in the emergency room at Grey Nuns Hospital on December 22. His tragic death has raised serious concerns about the quality of healthcare provided in the area.

Details of the Incident

Prashant experienced severe chest pains while working and was transported to the emergency department by a client. After arriving at the hospital, he was triaged and directed to the waiting area. His father, Kumar Sreekumar, arrived shortly after and witnessed his son’s suffering.

Desperate Pleas for Help

Kumar reported that Prashant described his pain as a 15 out of 10. Despite this, medical staff conducted an electrocardiogram (ECG) and told him there was nothing significant to address. Prashant was offered only Tylenol for his distress, a decision his family found alarming.

• Time in Waiting Room: Over eight hours
• Final Moments: Prashant collapsed shortly after being called into the treatment area.
• Cause of Death: Cardiac arrest

Impact on Family and Community

Prashant leaves behind his wife and three young children, aged three, ten, and fourteen. Described by family as a fun-loving “goofball,” he was central to family outings and adventures. Kumar lamented the lack of immediate medical attention that led to his son’s passing, expressing disbelief over how a man in such obvious distress could be overlooked.

Friends and community members echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need for better care. Varinder Bhullar, a family friend and client of Prashant’s accounting services, stated, “This shouldn’t happen to anyone else in the community.”

Response from the Hospital

The Grey Nuns Hospital, operated by Covenant Health, has indicated that it cannot comment on specific patient care due to privacy issues. They have confirmed that the case is under review by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

In their statement, the hospital expressed condolences to Prashant’s family, reaffirming their commitment to patient safety and care.

As the Sreekumar family navigates their profound loss, they have raised critical questions about the emergency healthcare system and its ability to provide timely assistance. They are determined not to let Prashant’s death be in vain and are advocating for improvements in healthcare delivery in their community.