Michael Francois's family files complaints over his care

The family of Michael Francois, who died after a bacterial infection diagnosis was missed twice in 2015, is worried its complaints arestalling because of a lack of hospital records.

• Yellowknife man dies after bacterial infection diagnosis missed twice
• N.W.T. orders review of Hugh Papik case after niece says stroke victim was treated as drunk

According to the family, Francois went to Stanton Territorial Hospital in Yellowknife on Oct. 23, but a nurse in the emergency room sent him home. Three days later, Francois sought help at a local medical clinic. A doctor there prescribed him an inhaler and again sent him home.

His condition deteriorated.

After three more days, Francois could barely walk. His family helped him back to the hospital Oct. 29, where he was admitted immediately. He wastaken to Alberta by medevacthe following morning.

He died in an Edmonton hospital on Nov. 14.

"We are still traumatised with what happened," said Francois's sister, Helen Minoza. "We are still very hurt and grieving."

Waiting for answers

Minozasaid the family submitted three letters of complaint in February2016. The letters were addressed to the Stanton Territorial Health Authority, the Registered Nurses Association of the N.W.T., and the Canadian Medical Association.

The family met with N.W.T. health officials on Aug 19, Minoza said.There, Minoza was told the hospital had no record of Francois's first visit to the emergency room. Minozarequested the health authority review its surveillance video.

"The system is flawed. He should have been admitted prior to seeing a triage nurse," Minoza said.

"We kind of stressed that we want them to review those tapes and they didn't have any comment,"

Minoza has not heard back from the health officialssince the meeting.

As for the other letters of complaint, Minoza said the nurses association cannot move forward without the identity of the nurse. She hopes the hospital's surveillance video will provide that identify.

Stanton Territorial Health Authority and Health Minister GlenAbernethydeclined to comment, citing patient confidentiality.