Woman's pleas for privacy ignored during miscarriage

An Albertawoman says she was denied any privacy when she began miscarrying in a packed emergency waiting room in Calgary, one month after health officials promised changes in response to a similar case.

Erin Wilson, 26, of Strathmore, says she spent six hours in the emergency area at Peter Lougheed Centre this past Wednesday. She was waiting to see a doctor because she was experiencing severe cramping and bleeding.

Wilson, who was between nine and 10 weeks pregnant with her first child, says she repeatedly begged a nurse for help, only to be told she had to wait.

She says one nurse told her to let staff know if her condition worsened because "they didn't want to be in the media again."

Wilson said she knew there was nothing the hospital could do to save her fetus. She simply wanted some compassion and privacy.

A spokesperson for the Calgary Health Region said Monday he couldn't comment on the specific case because of privacy concerns.

But he did say the health region is investigating Wilson's complaint, which comes three months after another woman miscarried in front of 40 strangers at the same hospital.

Rose Lundy lost her baby during a three-hour wait in emergency in July. Her husband, Rick, had repeatedly asked for help from staff but was told there were no beds.

Don Stewart, a spokesperson for Calgary Health, said the health authority is implementing several changes recommended following the Lundy case. He could not confirm if any of them have been completed.

The suggestions include placing staff to observe patients more closely and to assist in triage, training nurses in effective communications skills and reviewing how to treat patients experiencing a miscarriage.

The health region also said it was considering designating a private area in emergency waiting rooms.