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The family of a 57-year-old Winnipeg woman who died of flesh-eatingdisease two years ago is suing a local care home for allegedly nottaking her to hospital quickly enough. Kathryn "Kitty" Tummon died in May 2010 of severe necrotizingfasciitis a rare but severe bacterial infection that can destroymuscles, skin and tissue in her pubic area, including herperineum and lower abdominal wall. Tummon, a resident of the St. Norbert Personal Care Home, hadcomplained of a painful rash, but staff did not take her tohospital until 65 hours later, according to a statement of claimfiled by her daughter, Tanya Comeault. When Tummon was finally taken to hospital, doctors said she hadflesh-eating disease and associated septic shock, according to theclaim. Comeault told CBC News while it's painful for her to relive hermother's death, she hopes the lawsuit will bring real changes tothe health-care system. "Some may say, 'Why not just let it go?' It's easier to sweep itunder the rug and get on with my life," she said in an interview. "Yes, it's easier to just grieve her. But the fact of the matterremains that my mom mattered." 'Cruel and unusual treatment' alleged Filed with the Court of Queen's Bench in May, the lawsuit names theSt. Norbert facility and some of its medical and care staff, aswell as the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and the Manitobagovernment. "The kind of treatment that Kathryn Tummon received at St. Norbert[Personal Care Home] was cruel and unusual treatment," thestatement of claim reads in part. "Kathryn Tummon's death was entirely preventable," it adds. "Her immediate medical conditions were readily treatable, but themedical institution and professionals that Kathryn Tummon relied onfor care failed in their duty to provide her with proper and timelycare." The lawsuit seeks $250,000 in damages plus legal costs andinterest, as well as a declaration from the defendants that hermother's charter rights were violated. Comeault filed her statement of claim after what family membersdescribed as an unsatisfactory meeting with the care home'smanagers and the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. The health authority confirmed it had met with the family and it isreviewing the complaint, but officials would not comment on thecase because it's before the courts. Started with mouth infection Tummon was a "physically and cognitively disabled vulnerable"resident of the St. Norbert care home, according to the statementof claim. The family alleges that staff were inconsistent in giving Tummonmedication for a mouth infection she had contracted in April 2010,about a month before she died. Then on May 7, 2010, Tummon complained to the home's medical staffabout pain in her perineum, which made it difficult for her to sitin her wheelchair. Tummon was treated with some creams, and a doctor prescribed someantibiotics without actually examining her, according to thestatement of claim. Her family said Tummon sometimes went hours in betweenexaminations. "Meanwhile, this infection was growing inside of her and basicallyeating her from the inside out," said Karen Williams, Tummon'ssister. In the afternoon of May 10, 2010, Tummon was taken to VictoriaGeneral Hospital, then transferred to St. Boniface GeneralHospital, where she died, according to her family. I am an expert from plasticsextrusionmachinery.com, while we provides the quality product, such as China PET Recycle Machine , Mattress Making equipment, Plastic Mixer Machine,and more.
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