Claudette came to our office concerned that her husband Serge’s leg amputation surgery had been delayed and they were not advised of a new date. Claudette told us the surgery had been scheduled and cancelled a number of times and she was concerned that her husband’s condition was quickly deteriorating. Claudette told us she had called Interior Health’s Patient Care Quality Office (PCQO) but she was told it would take three weeks before they could look into her complaint.

Through our investigation of Claudette’s complaint, we worked with the PCQO’s Director of Patient Safety. As a result of our involvement in the case, the Director very quickly contacted clinical staff at the hospital and notified them about Serge’s declining health. His surgery was rescheduled and took place within a few days of our notice of investigation into the complaint.