A 44-year-old father of three has died in an Edmonton hospital’s emergency room waiting area, prompting questions about the healthcare system’s ability to handle critical cases. Prashant Sreekumar experienced severe chest pains on December 22nd and was taken to Grey Nuns Hospital, where he was triaged and placed in the waiting room.
His father, Kumar Sreekumar, recounted his son’s agony, describing the pain as a “15 out of 10.” Despite an electrocardiogram (ECG) showing no immediate significant findings, Prashant was reportedly told to continue waiting. Hospital staff offered him Tylenol for his pain, but his condition continued to worsen.
Over the course of more than eight hours, nurses monitored Prashant’s vital signs, noting a steadily increasing blood pressure. The family expressed deep concern as the wait stretched on, with their loved one visibly suffering.
Tragically, shortly after being moved into the treatment area, Prashant collapsed, clutching his chest. He died moments later, with nurses unable to revive him. An apparent cardiac arrest is believed to be the cause of his death.
Prashant Sreekumar is survived by his wife and three children, aged three, 10, and 14. His family remembers him as a devoted father and a kind individual, whose sudden death has left a significant void in their lives and the community.
Family and friends are seeking answers regarding the circumstances of his death, questioning how a patient experiencing such severe symptoms could wait so long without receiving definitive medical attention. The incident has highlighted growing concerns about healthcare access and emergency room wait times.
Grey Nuns Hospital is operated by Covenant Health, which declined to comment on the specifics of the case due to patient privacy. The organization stated that the matter is under review by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and offered its condolences to the family.
“We offer our sympathy to the patient’s family and friends. There is nothing more important than the safety and care of our patients and staff,” a spokesperson for Covenant Health said in a statement.
The family intends to remember Prashant for the joy he brought them, but will forever be haunted by the circumstances of his passing, dying in pain within a hospital without ever being seen by a doctor. This incident underscores the critical challenges facing emergency healthcare services.
