Parents of a two-year-old girl with pneumonia say her condition steadily worsened while they spent hours waiting for assistance at the Langley Memorial Hospital emergency ward.
Langley City residents Joel and Stefanie Ackley picked up their daughter Gracie from daycare and took her to LMH on Thursday, Jan. 26, after the toddler developed shortness of breath and a fever.
They said they waited from 3:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. the next day before their daughter was diagnosed, and it was not until Joel raised his voice that action was finally taken.
Stefanie said after their information was taken on arrival at the ER, they were sent to sit and wait, without a physical exam.
91裸聊视频淲hile waiting, our daughter drastically declined, becoming lethargic and unable to stand, 91裸聊视频 Stefanie said.
She estimated Gracie was breathing at a rate of four breaths every two seconds with 91裸聊视频渆xtreme discomfort.91裸聊视频
A video provided by the parents shows Gracie coughing and struggling to breathe.
When Grace91裸聊视频檚 temperature was finally taken, around 5:45 p.m., her parents estimated she was running a fever of 103.3 F with 90 per cent of normal oxygen levels.
She was given Tylenol.
91裸聊视频淸Gracie91裸聊视频檚 fever] came down by a whole two degrees while we were sent to, yet again, sit and wait,91裸聊视频 Stefanie said.
By 9 p.m., when Joel asked a nurse if someone could come look at Gracie, the parents say they were told 91裸聊视频渨e were lucky to even have a room and that we should be happy we even got a bed.91裸聊视频
When a frustrated Joel raised his voice, saying 91裸聊视频渃an we please just have someone look at my daughter?91裸聊视频 the parents say the nurse threatened to kick them out.
That brought another nurse, who asked what the issue was.
On explanation, the second nurse examined the two-year-old, then called the ER doctor in, who ordered blood work and an X-ray that, by 1 a.m., confirmed Gracie had pneumonia.
91裸聊视频淭he doctor and two nurses that helped my little one 91裸聊视频 once they finally realized the severity of the situation 91裸聊视频 they were amazing, and I thank these individuals,91裸聊视频 Stefanie said.
91裸聊视频淏ut what is wrong with our health-care system, why is there such a lack of care and organization, and a shortage of staff, and why are these kinds of situations not dealt with properly?91裸聊视频 she added.
As of Monday, Gracie was doing a 91裸聊视频渂it better,91裸聊视频 Joel told the Langley Advance Times.
91裸聊视频淗er fever has broken, but her breathing is still raspy. She91裸聊视频檚 on puffers and antibiotics.91裸聊视频
READ ALSO:
Joel said the family is going public with their story 91裸聊视频渂ecause this is definitely a serious matter 91裸聊视频 that us, as parents, can91裸聊视频檛 have trust or faith in our heath system. We are definitely lucky the outcome was not more severe.91裸聊视频
91裸聊视频淭his is not fair to our children, or anyone who is is in need of medical attention,91裸聊视频 Joel added.
Since he posted details to a private Facebook community page, Joel said he has been inundated with comments from people who report similar problems of excessive delays.
Langley Advance Times has reached out the Fraser Health Authority for a response.
READ ALSO:
READ MORE:
Have a story tip? Email: dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
Like us on and follow us on .