Updated | Investigation into death of patient in Mater Dei ‘corridor ward’

According to health shadow minister Claudette Buttigieg, an elderly woman died in the corridors of Mater Dei after the necessary aid and equipment couldn’t be transported to her bed before it was too late.

“This is a serious case that should in no way be ignored. Parliamentary Secretary for health Chris Fearne should give a clear explanation of this case,” said Buttigieg.

During a press conference, Buttigieg pointed out that the medical staff of the hospital did their utmost to save the woman, but that there was nothing else that could be done since the corridors are ill equipped to deal with extreme situations.

“There are no CPR trolleys, defibrillators or suction systems which could all have saved the woman’s life.”

In a press conference at 6pm, Mater Dei clinical director Joe Zarb Adami and CEO Ivan Falzon claimed the accusations were exaggerated but said that an investigation was already underway into the death of the patient.

“We join the 83-year-old woman’s family in mourning the loss of the patient, but her death was in no way a result of the absence of the necessary equipment,” Falzon said.

“The CPR equipment was available, and it was used on the patient, but the patient unfortunately died nonetheless,” he added. “The patient lost her life less than an hour after the call for CPR was made.”

Clinical Director Joe Zarb Adami emphasised that Mater Dei is in no way ill-equipped or under-staffed, with a team of 4,300 dedicated to taking care of the patients.

“There were four nurses on duty per 25 patients at the time of the incident, a ratio that is well in-line with established regulations. The quality of the service given was in no way undermined by the increased number of cases at this time of the year.”

When asked about the quality of service given in the corridors compared to the wards, Falzon said that the only difference between the two were details like televisions and how comfortable patients are, however corridors have all the necessary equipment.

“Although the distance between the beds is much smaller than we would like, it is not small enough to hinder the movement of equipment from one bed to another,” Falzon said.

Asked about the issue of cleanliness and about whether patients are constrained to clean themselves using wipes, Falzon said that the situation is indeed uncomfortable, but Mater Dei is doing its best to rectify the situation and increase bed spaces in the facility.

“Among the changes planned are agreements with private companies to, and agreements with the ministry of the family and social solidarity and secretariat for the elderly, to move as many patients from Mater Dei to other facilities,”  Zarb Adami said.

Zarb Adami said the equipment necessary for patients was available in the corridors, which are being considered as "extensions to hospital wards".

He also claimed there was enough space for hospital staff inside corridors to assist patients. "Cleanliness is an aspect that must be improved. It is not ideal, but not as bad as it has been depicted," Zarb Adami said, saying corridor 'wards' were only different from other wards because of the lack of comforts such as TVs.

Earlier today Buttigieg said that the overcrowding situation is so bad that some of the public corridors, specifically the ones leading from the Emergency ward to the Medical Imaging Ward are full of occupied beds, with some beds even being placed in the children’s casualty area.

“The corridors are open to the public, which means that thousands of people make use of them on a daily basis. It is no wonder that some patients are coming to hospital with a complaint which then worsens during their stay,” Buttigieg said.

Buttigieg also spoke of the dignity of patients, which, she says is no longer existent since patients are forced to sleep in public corridors.

“Some patients haven't had a proper bath during their stay, they are being forced to resort to using wipes, which is in no way hygienic or respectful of the dignity everyone deserves.”

Buttigieg said that the situation has gone downhill over recent weeks, particularly  since Ivan Falzon was hired as CEO of Mater Dei hospital. Buttigieg urged Fearne to offer a clear explanation for the event, and to implement a concrete and holistic plan to tackle the overcrowding situation at Mater Dei.