The original article can be found in: Trinidad Express By Carolyn Kissoon
The husband of Sasha Maria Mohammed-Thomas, who died at the San Fernando General Hospital two weeks ago, has filed a complaint at the South West Regional Health Authority (SWRHA).
Sheldon Thomas, who claimed negligence in his wife’s death, has retained an attorney and intends to take legal action against the institution.
Thomas said, “I have submitted legal letters to the hospital for my wife’s medical reports. But I was told that I will get it in a month. The reports are important because I hired a private pathologist to conduct a second autopsy and it cannot be completed until he has the medical reports.”
Mohammed-Thomas, 37, died last Wednesday.
An autopsy performed at the San Fernando mortuary found that Mohammed-Thomas died from a pulmonary embolism. But her family believes her death could have been prevented.Thomas claims that his wife received no medical attention at the hospital’s Emergency Department, although she was brought there by paramedics.
He said his wife was admitted to hospital for injuries she suffered in a fall. She was unable to move her left leg and toes.
Mohammed-Thomas, a mother of one, was treated and discharged. But she returned to the hospital on February 19.
Thomas said his wife remained in the Accident and Emergency Department for several hours, without being treated.
“She was in pain. She had no drips and no catheter. She had a medical condition which required the use of a catheter to pass urine. And she had not passed urine since 10 a.m that day. She was wearing a diaper and it was soiled. I begged the nurses to change her. They paid no attention. At 12.30 a.m. a nurse came and told me to go home and get some rest and she will take care of my wife. I returned at 2 p.m. the next day and my wife was in the same place, still wearing the same diaper,” he said.
Thomas, who is physically challenged and walks with the support of crutches, said his wife suffered a seizure and died the next day.
“They said there was a blood clot in her lungs consistent with the fall. I understand her death may have been caused by the fall, but I cannot understand why doctors did not treat her,” Thomas said.
He said a private autopsy was performed at a funeral home last Saturday.
“But the doctor cannot compile the results until he sees her medical reports,” he said.
Officials at the South West Regional Health Authority said the case will be investigated.
