Alberta orders inquiry into man’s death after eight-hour ER wait

Alberta has ordered a public fatality inquiry into the death of Prashant Sreekumar, who died after spending eight hours in the Grey Nuns emergency department; a provincial judge will review the case and may issue public findings and recommendations.

The Alberta government has ordered a public fatality inquiry into the death of a man who spent eight hours in the emergency department at Grey Nuns Community Hospital in Edmonton. Officials identified the man as 44-year-old Prashant Sreekumar, who died on Dec. 22. The government announced the inquiry Thursday and said a provincial judge will review the case and publish findings. Key facts: - A provincial judge will conduct a public fatality inquiry and may issue findings and recommendations. - Officials reported that Prashant Sreekumar died on Dec. 22 after spending eight hours in the Grey Nuns emergency department. - The government also announced a new triage liaison physician role for hospitals in Edmonton and Calgary as part of measures to address emergency department strain. Summary: The inquiry is intended to clarify how this specific case was managed and to provide public findings about the circumstances of the death. The provincial judge's review and any resulting recommendations are the next formal steps; further outcomes are undetermined at this time.