Yellowknife man dies after bacterial infection diagnosis missed twice

A Yellowknife man who suffered organ failure due to complications from a bacterial infectiondied in an Edmonton hospital Saturday.

Michael Francois, 33, had been receiving treatment at the University of Alberta Hospitalin Edmonton fora streptococcuspneumoniaeinfection.Machineskept him alive for nearly two weeks after his lungs, liver, and kidneys shut down.

"The infection wentthrough his bloodstream and organs," said HelenMinoza, Francois' sister.

"It got to the point where he had double pneumonia and all of his organs failed."

Minozatold CBC Sunday thatFrancois' lungs got worseand doctors told her they couldn't do anything else for him.

On Oct. 24, Minoza says,Francois went to Stanton Territorial Hospital, but a nurse in the emergency room sent him home. Two days later, Francois sought help at a local medical clinic. A doctor there prescribed him an inhaler and againsent him home.

After three more days passed, Francois could barely walk. His family helped him back to the hospital Oct. 29, where he was admitted immediatelyand medevaced to Alberta the following morning.

According to Minoza,doctors in Alberta were disappointed that Francois' infection was not detected earlier in Yellowknife.

'I don't understand why he was not treated seriously'

Minozawants answers from the Yellowknife Health and Social ServicesAuthority. She says her brother was shy, and trusted the medical system, only to be let down.

"I don't understand why he was not treated seriously," says Minoza.

"This should not have to happen in our health care systemin this day and age."

The health authority says it does not speak to individual casesand would not confirm whetherthe department is investigating Francois' treatment.

Minoza says she has not yet filedan official complaint with the health authority, but she plans to.

Minoza had beenraising money to help cover the expenses for Francois' family to be at his side. She has raised $450 so far, out of a goal of $5,000.

The Public Health Agency of Canada says streptococcus pneumonia infections are a major cause of illness and death worldwide. The infection is also a common cause of invasive disease, such as pneumonia, bacteremia, and meningitis.