- Camila Lopes and Unai Ordoñez have raised bad memories after the death in the emergency room of a 42-year-old laudioarra. Because Helena, her three-year-old daughter, died in 2020 and, among other things, was not diagnosed with a doctor at the Continuing Care Center.
On 15 November 2020, they experienced a terrible incident, how did it begin?
It all started on a Thursday. It was COVID-19 time, and after the PCR test, we went to the pediatrician. We didn't understand this either, because if we tested positive, didn't they have to attend? However, the result was negative and we explained to the doctor that the child said he had abdominal pain.
The doctor examined him, did a urine test and, in his opinion, was not appendicitis at all. He told us to get out of his head. Appendicitis is very painful and no one can keep their feet. On the contrary, Helena played even though she was hurt. The doctor kicked the ball and the child ran and picked it up. Consequently, the pediatrician ruled out this option. The urine test was also negative and he thinks he wanted to pamper us.
"When we went to the emergency room, there were no doctors, just one nurse, and she told us to give acetaminophen."
In the evening the fever increased. We went to the emergency room. There were no doctors, just a nurse, and she asked us why we didn't give her paracetamol.
The nurse herself told us to give acetaminophen and if the fever goes down, she doesn't go to the hospital emergency room. On the contrary, if the fever increased to the hospital emergency room.
Did you get paracetamol?
Yeah, and the fever went down. Then the pediatrician called us on the phone and we told him he had belly pain and he didn't want to eat anything. On the phone, the doctor told me that I still had cocoa and that I was suppository. On Saturday, the suppository was placed and the maca was made.
The child began to vomit within hours of night. What he threw was black and he was very down. We ran out and drove us to the hospital, but he died on the way. Appendicitis became peritonitis.
What happened next?
The doctor called me later, on Monday. We actually had a date with him. He told me that I felt so much and that as soon as I got there, the autopsy would meet him, explain what happened. In any case, I was blocked and I didn't understand what I was saying.
Did you rate the complaint for lack of emergency medical care?
Yes, and the first thing the lawyer asked us was whether we were psychologically willing to face the process. He assured us that it would be a terrible psychological suffering. He told us that Osakidetza had the best lawyers and that the doctor followed the COVID-19 protocol. In principle, Osakidetza had everything for him.
"We went to a lawyer, but the first thing he asked us was whether we were psychologically willing to face the process."
Has Helena's death influenced the clinic?
Yes, a mother told me that a similar situation happened. A young boy came with the same symptoms as my daughter and the pediatrician – another – immediately sent him to the hospital. He had an appendicitis plaque in the emergency room. He was intervened.
Has the last death affected you in Llodio's emergency room?
Yes, they are lives. This has to stop. Doctors are needed. Are you going to go with a child and not going to be? What happened to David?
What happens to children must be taken into account. If you say you have a headache or stomach ache, you need to have a medical review. If nothing happens to him, excellent, but be sure after the tests.