EDMONTON, Canada — A 44-year-old Indian-origin man, Prashant Sreekumar, died after waiting approximately eight hours for emergency medical care at an Edmonton hospital, sparking anguish and raising serious questions about healthcare delays. The father of three succumbed to a suspected cardiac arrest on 22 December at the Grey Nuns Community Hospital after repeatedly pleading that he could not bear severe chest pain.
A Fatal Wait in the Emergency Room
According to a report by Global News, Prashant Sreekumar was rushed to the hospital in southeast Edmonton after complaining of severe chest pain. He was checked in at triage and then directed to the waiting room. His father, Kumar Sreekumar, arrived later to find his son in distress. “Papa, I cannot bear the pain,” Kumar recounted his son telling him as they waited for attention from medical staff. Despite these urgent pleas, the family says significant intervention was delayed for hours.
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Limited Intervention During Critical Hours
During the lengthy wait, Prashant Sreekumar was administered Tylenol for pain and had his blood pressure monitored. His father observed the readings climbing alarmingly high. “It went up, up, and up. To me, it was through the roof,” Kumar Sreekumar stated. The family claims that despite the severe symptoms and high blood pressure—reportedly reaching 210—he did not receive an in-depth cardiac workup like an echocardiogram (ECHO) at that time and was told nothing significant was found after an ECG.
A Sudden and Tragic Collapse
The long wait came to a sudden end. “After sitting maybe 10 seconds, he looked at me, stood up, clutched his chest and collapsed,” his father said. Prashant Sreekumar fell in the waiting room after hours of delay. His death has devastated his wife, three children, and family, who are now seeking answers about the standard of care during a medical emergency.
Family Seeks Accountability Through Social Media
The matter has gained public attention after a video of Prashant Sreekumar’s wife discussing her experience went popular on social media. In her emotional statement, she mentioned extremely high blood pressure levels and that only Tylenol was given during the wait. The family’s appeal has highlighted broader worries over emergency room overcrowding and delays in Canada’s public healthcare system, particularly for patients with possible cardiac symptoms.
Hospital Response and Broader Implications
Covenant Health’s management, which oversees Grey Nuns Hospital, offered condolences but pointed to privacy regulations in limiting details. The episode has prompted wider discussion on triage methods, emergency department capacity, and the serious human toll of delayed care. As demands for accountability grow, an internal investigation may be needed to prevent future failures.
Immediate FAQ:
Q: What happened to Prashant Sreekumar?
A: The 44-year-old man of Indian descent passed away in an Edmonton hospital waiting room on December 22 after experiencing acute chest pain for around eight hours, which may have resulted in a cardiac arrest.
Q: What treatment did he receive during the wait?
A: According to his family, he was given Tylenol for pain, had an ECG, and had his blood pressure monitored, which was extremely high. They claim he did not receive a more thorough cardiac assessment like an echocardiogram during that critical period.
Q: Which hospital was involved?
A: The incident occurred at the Grey Nuns Community Hospital in southeast Edmonton, operated by Covenant Health.
Q: Why is this case causing concern?
A: It draws attention to important problems with triage choices and wait periods in emergency rooms, where a patient with obvious signs of a possible heart attack did not receive prompt, vital care.
