Family Demands Answers After Hospital Death
A Winnipeg family is seeking clarity after their 68-year-old mother died following an emergency room visit at St. Boniface Hospital, alleging medical misdiagnosis contributed to her death.
Timeline of Events
Judy Burns was rushed to the hospital in the early hours of January 18 after being found unresponsive, pale, and showing signs of delirium, her daughter Chelsea Mann stated. Initial diagnosis indicated dehydration and diverticulosis, but the family immediately requested an endoscopy due to ongoing concerns about her condition.
‘She wasn’t OK,’ Mann emphasized. ‘Medical staff repeatedly assured us she’d recover and return home within two days.’ Despite these assurances, Burns suffered a stroke and cardiac arrest that evening after waiting hours for further testing.
Emergency surgery revealed a small intestinal ulcer. While Burns survived the procedure, she was placed in a medically induced coma. ‘We later learned she’d been internally bleeding throughout the day,’ Mann revealed. ‘Earlier intervention could have saved her.’
The family made the difficult decision to remove life support three days later after determining no meaningful recovery was possible.
Hospital Responds to Allegations
Medical leadership at St. Boniface Hospital confirmed they’ve initiated an internal review of the case. A healthcare authority spokesperson stated: ‘We’re thoroughly examining the circumstances to determine appropriate follow-up actions.’
Provincial health officials acknowledged the incident is under formal assessment. ‘Patient safety experts are carefully reviewing whether this meets critical incident criteria based on established protocols,’ said Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara, who extended condolences to the grieving family.
Mann described her mother as the family’s cornerstone: ‘She was our best friend – we FaceTimed with her every morning.’ The family has formally documented their concerns in writing to hospital administrators and awaits the investigation’s findings.
