Frank went in with rapid breathing
and immediately put on a ventilator
10.50am Monday 20 September 2021
Frank went to Queanbeyan Hospital breathing and talking. In fact he had rapid breathing - 32 breathes per minute whereas normal rate is 12 to 20 breathes.
Despite a ventilator being for persons who can’t breathe on their own, Frank was immediately intubated.
Queanbeyan Hospital refused to disclose to Frank’s wife that they planned to intubate him, and that they did intubate Frank. In fact, Queanbeyan Hospital gave false information to say Frank was immediately being transported to Canberra Hospital.
Frank was not immediately transport. Rather he was retained and Queanbeyan and within 2 hours Frank was heavily sedated Frank and put on a ventilator. Frank never came out sedation.
Queanbeyan Hospital transported Frank intubated to Canberra Hospital late afternoon.
At 4.10pm on 7 October 2021 Frank died.
Frank would have had a better chance of surviving at home.
TIMELINE - MONDAY 20 SEPTEMBER 2021
10.50am
Frank admitted to Queanbeyan Hospital Emergency Department.
11.25am - 11.28am
At 11.25 Nada called Queanbeyan Hospital to speak to doctors. Unable to get through.
11.28am
At 11.28am Nada called Queanbeyan.
Emergency Department staff advised Nada that Frank had just arrived and to call back later.
Hospital Staff did not seek any medical from Nada at all.
Hospital Staff only asked Nada:
a) if Frank had a Will;
b) there was an enduring power of attorney in place; and
c) if Frank was vaccinated.
11.40am
At 11.40am Nada called Queanbeyan Hospital.
Emergency Department staff advised Nada Frank was being transported to Canberra Hospital within the hour. Instructed Nada to call Canberra Hospital after an hour.
12.36pm
Queanbeyan Hospital prepared Frank’s Discharge Summary.
1.40pm
Queanbeyan Hospital doctors determined to intubate Frank.
Doctors refused to inform Nada of their intention to intubate Frank.
Queanbeyan Hospital refused to seek or obtain informed consent from Nada.
2.22pm
At 2.22pm Frank was sedated with Ketamine for the purpose of being intubated.
[Frank never came out of sedation].
2.29pm
At 2.29pm Queanbeyan Hospital medical staff intubated Frank.
The hospital did not seek informed consent from Frank.
The hospital did not seek informed consent from Frank’s wife, his next of kin.
Treatment options were never discussed with Frank’s wife.
2.56pm
Queanbeyan Hospital loaded Frank for transport to Canberra Hospital
3.00pm
At 3.00pm Nada called Queanbeyan Hospital.
Hospital staff stated Frank was on his way to Canberra Hospital.
Hospital staff refused to inform Nada Frank was intubated.
4.11pm
At 4.11pm Nada called Queanbeyan Hospital.
Emergency Department stated Frank had left Queanbeyan Hospital and was at Canberra Hospital.
4.12pm
At 4.12pm Nada called Canberra Hospital.
Emergency Department staff advised:
a) Frank had arrived;
b) was intubated in Queanbeyan Hospital; and
c) was being sent to ICU.
Queanbeyan Hospital’s refusal to obtain informed consent.
Despite the fact ambulance officers determined there was “no immediate life threat”, Queanbeyan Hospital heavily sedated and intubated Frank within 2 hours.
Despite the fact Frank was cognitive when admitted to hospital, doctors failed to obtain informed consent from Frank, nor inform Frank of their intention to intubate him.
As his wife, I know Frank would never have agreed to be placed on a ventilator.
Despite the fact Nada called Queanbeyan Hospital five times:
a) doctors refused to inform Nada of their intention to intubate Frank at any time;
b) the hospital refused to seek Nada’s consent to intubation as Frank’s next of kin;
c) the hospital refused to inform Nada of risks associated with mechanical ventilation; and
d) the hospital refused to obtain informed consent from Nada, as Frank’s wife and next of kin.
As Frank’s wife, and knowing his thoughts on being placed on mechanical ventilation, I would never have given my consent to Queanbeyan Hospital to intubate Frank.
Queanbeyan Hospital
Emergency Department Documentation
Despite five calls made to Queanbeyan Hospital, staff refused to speak to Nada concerning Frank’s condition and subsequently documented incorrect and/or false medical information concerning Frank, namely:
”Family only contact over phone for past week. Noticed pt (patient) more confused today so called NSWAS”.
Nada did not ever say to any person Frank was confused.
FRANK WAS NOT CONFUSED.
Frank was talking, answering questions and breathing.
Nada called the ambulance because Frank was physically weak.
“Recent acute renal failure”.
Frank did NOT have “recent” kidney issues.
Frank was prescribed medication by his GP to maintain the health of his kidneys on an ongoing basis.
No family at home. Wife down the coast - visiting back and forth over past month”.
Frank was the person that travelled back and forth to Batemans Bay on weekends, not Nada.
Discharge Summary
Wife updated.
Entirely false. Nada was not updated at all by Queanbeyan Hospital and was in fact given false information the entire day concerning all treatment of Frank.
Queanbeyan Hospital Discharge Summary
