The Tribune

A MAN who died after being turned away from the Princess Margaret Hospital’s Dialysis Unit a week ago due to a staff shortage was previously “noncompliant” with his treatment schedule, the Public Hospitals Authority said yesterday.

PHA released a statement saying it had concluded an internal investigation into the “unfortunate” death of 25-year-old Neil Johnson, also known as Neil Bethel, finding the patient had missed several treatment dates before he was turned away from the Dialysis Unit on Monday, December 17.

PHA said Mr Johnson began receiving dialysis treatment at PMH in October of this year and was told about the “life and death” implications of a treatment plan and schedule.

“At the commencement of his treatment, Mr Johnson received information regarding his diagnosis of renal failure, the requirements for renal replacement dialysis therapy and the ‘life and death’ implications of the scheduling requirements of his treatment plan,” PHA’s statement said. “He was slated to have dialysis on Monday, Wednesday and Friday of each week. Records retrieved from PMH reveal that he was noncompliant.

“During the month of December alone Mr Johnson missed scheduled appointments on the 3rd, 7th, 10th and contrary to media reports, he also missed his appointment on the 14th of December. When Mr Johnson presented on December 17 for treatment, all available treatment stations were in use and he could not be accommodated due to a shortage of staff in the Dialysis Unit.

“He was clinically assessed in line with protocols and given another appointment date. Mr Johnson was further advised to restrict his fluid intake to less than 500ml over the next 24-hour period, and to avoid high phosphorous and potassium containing foods like fruits, potatoes and citrus products. He was advised to return to ER if he experienced any shortness of breath, chest pain or chest discomfort symptoms that he did not manifest at that time,” PHA said.

PHA’s statement said Mr Johnson left the unit, but later returned to the Emergency Room where he was again assessed and scheduled for emergent treatment at the Dialysis Unit on December 18 at 5am, when the unit opens.

“Unfortunately, Mr Johnson arrested at 4.30am on December 18 after multiple attempts to intervene were unsuccessful,” PHA said. “Patients who voluntarily miss treatments must report to the hospital’s Emergency Room for assessment.”

The statement added: “Before a patient is deferred he/she is evaluated and triaged, and then the next available time for treatment is given, usually within 24 hours.”

Last week, Mr Johnson’s family expressed shock at his death, with his sister Stacey Cooper telling The Nassau Guardian her brother was also reportedly turned away the Friday before his death.

“Apparently, he was supposed to go for dialysis treatments three times a week; that’s Monday, Wednesday and Friday,” she told the daily.

“Friday, he didn’t get served. So, he went back Monday for the appointment. They turned him and 19 others away.

“Later that night he was complaining about shortness of breath and we called the ambulance and took him to the hospital. My mother was at the hospital all night with him. The hospital called me and said come deal with my mom.

“When I got there that’s when she told me that he passed away. The nurse told my mummy that he died from a heart attack. Then when I asked her what was the cause of death she said he just passed,” his sister said.