Coroners sound alarm after 3 deaths in Gatineau nursing home

The lack of personnel and qualified employees is having an impact on the health system, according to twocoroners whoinvestigated three deaths at the Rsidence de l'lenursing home in Gatineau, Que.

Thedeficiencies are serious enough that the coroners are calling foran investigation by the Ordre des infirmires auxiliaires Quebec's nursing oversight body and forthe provincial government to improve the criteria for operating a seniors' residence.

In her report on the death of Germaine Labelle, Coroner Francine Danais pointed out that the woman had allegedly suffered a fall that was not reported by the employees.

Labelle's family believes that the 90-year-olddid not receive appropriate care at the residence.

"Two or three people to care for 25 to 30 severely disabled people is not enough," said Labelle'sson, Paul Hansbury, in a French-language interview.

Hansburysaid he thinks his mother suffered too much before she died.

"She fell and fractured her pelvis, was put back in her bed and no one was notified," he said.

Coroner Paul G. Dionne's report on the death of Colombe Arvisais is also critical of the way things are done at the Rsidence de l'le.

"A police investigation showed that Ms. Arvisais did not receive the necessary clinical attention," the report reads, noting it is impossible to know if she received the oxygen she needed.

"This was an accidental death, probably preventable," Dionne wrote.

Julien Paiementwas the third resident whose death was investigated.

Issues not exclusive to Gatineau

Both reports called on immediate action from the Quebec government.

"There are no criteria as to the quality and competence of the personnel for certification," Danias told Radio-Canada.

But the problems aren't exclusive to the Outaouaisregion.

"This problem exists in other regions. I think it is widespread,"Danais said.

Rsidence de l'leclaims to have done its best, and said the Outaouais region's health authoritydidn't offer much help.

"Before March 2019, support was inadequate," said managerKatherine Chowieri in French.

Staff limitations hindered their ability to help the sickest of patients, according to Chowieri. The residence has since refused to accept some of the more challenging applicants who are waiting for a place in a long-term care centre.

Danais saidthe problem stems in part from the lack of support from the healthcare system.

"The residences agree to help out the health centre, but then find themselves with insufficient support," the report reads.

Health authority will implement recommendations

The Outaouaishealth authority said in an email that"it is implementing the report's recommendations and ensures that it takes the situation very seriously."

Marguerite Blais, Quebec's minister responsible for seniors, declined aninterview, but her ministrysaid in an e-mail that it had begun a review of regulations ofthe certification of residences.

Labelle's familyhopes that these reports will help to improve the situation.

There are more than 1,200 private residences for seniors in Quebec that house approximately 125,000 people.