The Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Inquest Report

 

 

The Wiseman Committee begins its discussions

No minutes or notes were kept of the committee's May 25 meeting. According to testimony, Wiseman asked each committee member to present his or her concerns. In putting forward the concerns of her colleagues, Youngson said:

I remember being very apprehensive, very nervous. And I just talked about some of the cannulation issues and some of the air in the cannula type issues, and the fact that I was very uncomfortable having to-don't forget, I am saying this to Dr. Odim. (Evidence, pages 8,465-8,466)

Youngson said she also spoke about Odim's requirement for silence in the operating room during surgery, which was different from Duncan's approach. She said that Odim was pleasant and responsive to her concerns at the meeting. He indicated that he was sorry that she had these concerns, and that where possible he would attempt to rectify matters.

Youngson also testified that Odim asked McNeill if it would not be possible to shorten the induction period. According to Youngson, McNeill explained that this would be difficult, since the HSC was a teaching hospital and residents performed some of the functions undertaken during induction.

What was not discussed directly, according to Youngson was the mortality rate. When asked if anyone brought the mortality rate issue up for discussion, she testified:

I don't think so, no. I didn't really discuss the high mortality rate. I just said that, you know, we were a little upset about what had happened. I don't think I came right out and said, you know, too many children are dying. I didn't put it like that. I said that what had happened up until that point was upsetting for us. (Evidence, page 8,472)

 

 

Current Home - Table of Contents - Chapter 7 - The Wiseman Committee begins its discussions
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Previous The anaesthetists agree to return
Section 1 Chapter 1 - Introduction to the Issues
  Chapter 2 - Pediatric Cardiac Issues
  Chapter 3 - The Diagnosis of Pediatric Heart Defects and their Surgical Treatment
  Chapter 4 - The Health Sciences Centre
Section 2 Chapter 5 - Pediatric Cardiac Surgery in Winnipeg 1950-1993
  Chapter 6 - The Restart of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery in 1994
January 1, 1994 to May 17, 1994
  Chapter 7 - The Slowdown
May 17 to September 1994
  Chapter 8 - Events Leading to the Suspension of the Program
September 7, 1994 to December 23, 1994
  Chapter 9 - 1995 - The Aftermath of the Shutdown
January to March, 1995
Section 3 Chapter 10 - Findings and Recommendations
Appendix 1 - Glossary of terms used in this report
Appendix 2 - Parties to the Proceedings and counsel
Appendix 3 - List of witnesses and dates of testimony
Diagrams
Tables
Table of Contents
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