Apology at inquest

Nursing chief testifies

Jean Marie Reeder, chief of nursing, admitted there was "inadequate nursing care" in Lisa's sudden death in 1998. But the former colonel in the U.S. Army Nursing Corp. cited an ongoing Sick Kids' nursing shortage -- and suggested a former staff doctor had an "unanswered" role.

Before giving an inquest any specific details, Reeder turned to face Lisa's parents, Bill and Sharon Shore of Thornhill.

"On behalf of our institution let me say how terribly sorry we all are because we failed you as an institution," Reeder said. However, she told hospital counsel Patrick Hawkins, any suggestions the failures were deliberate are "outrageous."

Sharon Shore said later the apology was too little, too late -- and only termination of negligent nurses would suffice.

Reeder said nurses on Lisa's former orthopedic ward have been so shaken by the tragedy that some had a type of post-traumatic stress disorder; there have been more workplace injuries and illness. Some have resigned. "This has had an incredibly demoralizing effect," she said.

In addition to numerous improvements made because of Lisa's death, Reeder said, the hospital has hired 100 more nurses -- but is still short-staffed.

Reeder said caring for nine patients -- as two nurses each did on Lisa's ward -- is unacceptable. She said it is "abominable" some Sick Kids nurses work 12 hours with no breaks.

Lisa died of apparent respiratory and heart failure, although there is still no official cause of death. She had been admitted in great pain from a rare, non-life-threatening condition known as reflex dystrophy syndrome.

Reeder cited errors by nurses Ruth Doerksen and Anagail Soriano in failing to closely monitor Lisa and failing to read a doctor's orders.