The former head administrator at Hearst Hospital expressed his frustration over the death of a patient before Ontario’s air ambulance could transfer him to Sudbury’s intensive care unit. Dr. Martin Papineau provided testimony at the inquest into the fatalities of five individuals in Constance Lake First Nation during a fungal lung disease outbreak in 2021 and 2022.
Papineau, an anesthesiologist, detailed being called to intubate Luke Moore on November 18, 2021, due to breathing difficulties. Moore needed specialized care at the Sudbury hospital and was suspected to have blastomycosis, one of the initial cases in the emerging health crisis affecting the Cree community of 800 residents.
Despite stormy weather that day, Papineau anticipated an improvement in conditions by the next morning, assuming ORNGE air ambulance would transport Moore. However, the following morning, Papineau discovered Moore had tragically passed away without being transferred, leaving him feeling angry.
It was revealed during the inquest that ORNGE faced challenges landing in Hearst due to a snowstorm preventing runway clearance. Although a flight was en route on the morning of November 19, Moore succumbed while awaiting transfer.
Following Moore’s death, Papineau sought the coroner’s intervention to investigate the delayed response from ORNGE, believing it contributed to Moore’s demise. Despite initial denial, a supervising coroner eventually approved an investigation.
In the subsequent days, Papineau had to intubate two more patients, Lorraine Shaganash and Lizzie Sutherland, with Shaganash passing away in Sudbury. Sutherland, who had been waiting for an air ambulance, was deemed unfit for transport and her transfer was canceled. Papineau acknowledged the uncertainty in medical outcomes but highlighted the potential impact of earlier interventions.
With three deaths prompting urgent action, Papineau, along with hospital executives and regional healthcare leaders, engaged with ORNGE and Ontario Health to address emergency transfer challenges. ORNGE admitted difficulties in meeting provincial transfer timeframes and agreed to prioritize transferring blastomycosis patients requiring oxygen from Constance Lake First Nation.
Papineau noted longstanding challenges with ORNGE and logistical obstacles in patient transfers, dating back a decade before the blastomycosis outbreak. He emphasized the need for external guidance during crises and expressed disappointment over the lack of provincial support despite assistance from other regional hospitals.
Regarding ORNGE’s response, Papineau mentioned a visit in 2022 to discuss air transport but expressed skepticism about substantial changes. He no longer serves as the hospital’s ER chief and highlighted uncertainties about potential improvements post his tenure.
The inquest will proceed with further questioning of Papineau as he continues to provide insights into the events.