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Hospital questioned over swine flu death

Posted on October 9, 2009, 8:08am and updated on October 12, 2009 at 12:48 pm

A devastated Mount Gambier family is questioning why the city’s hospital allegedly ignored their repeated pleas for the facility to admit their son who died from complications linked with suspected swine flu.

Mount Gambier TAFE student Andrew Taankink, 26, died on October 1 at Flinders Medical Centre, seven weeks after he was flown to Adelaide by the Royal Flying Doctor Service and placed in an induced coma.

Andrew TaankinkHis parents Hans and Mary Taankink yesterday poured out their sorrow over losing their precious only son (pictured) and vented their anger at Mount Gambier Hospital.

The family is still waiting for Andrew’s body to be returned from Adelaide, which has yet to be released by the coroner.

It is believed Andrew was the 27th South Australian to die from swine flu complications.

With tears streaming down her face, an inconsolable Mrs Taankink said she had no idea that swine flu could be so dangerous for young healthy people.

“I took him to the emergency department four days in a row and they wouldn’t admit him. I feel terribly let down by the Mount Gambier Hospital,” said Mrs Taankink, who explained their GP initially told the family he thought Andrew had swine flu.

“I just can’t believe what has happened. I can’t understand why the doctors did not take proper notice of him. The hospital did not do any blood tests or chest x-rays until they finally admitted him.

“If they admitted him earlier, he might be still alive today.”

Mrs Taankink said the Flinders Medical Centre put him in an induced coma to try and save his life.

“Before they did this Andrew said to me ‘I hope this works mum and I will be all right’. He never woke up again, that was the last time I ever spoke to him’.”

Mrs Taankink — who took seven years to conceive her son — claimed she took Andrew to the Mount Gambier emergency department four days in a row because he was feeling very unwell, but the facility continually refused to admit him.

She said they told her that Andrew initially had tonsillitis and he should take Panadol, drink lots of water and go home to rest, but was later given antibiotics to take at home.

“I don’t know what to think about Mount Gambier Hospital. The doctors need to take more notice of young people. Just because they are young and strong doesn’t mean they should not be properly checked,” Mrs Taankink said.

She said Andrew had trouble breathing, could hardly walk and kept falling asleep.

“I begged and begged for the hospital to admit him but they wouldn’t,” Mrs Taankink said.

“Andrew was telling me he felt like he was going to pass out.”

Meanwhile, Mr Taankink said he even called an ambulance thinking his son would get automatic admittance to hospital, but this also failed.

“They sent him home again,” Mr Taankink said.

He said the hospital finally admitted his son five days after first turning up to the emergency department.

But he said at that stage Andrew’s lungs were full of fluid, he began coughing up blood and developed pneumonia.

Mr Taankink said his son was healthy, but did have a bout of asthma and a chest infection in the weeks before he became really sick.

He said Andrew was flown to Adelaide after being treated in the high dependency unit for a couple of days.

“Flinders Medical Centre rang us and told us to get up there straight away because they feared Andrew wouldn’t last the night,” Mr Taankink said.

“We sat their every day for seven weeks but there was little hope Andrew would survive. His lungs had stuck to his ribs.”

But he said at one stage there was some hope over a five day period that he could possibly survive.

“The staff at the Flinders Medical Centre was wonderful and caring. They did everything they could to try and save him, but they couldn’t.

“They gave him so many antibiotics his hair started to thin.”

Mrs Taankink said her son loved attending TAFE and had many friends.

“He also liked to going around to his friends and fixing their computers. He also enjoyed going out on the town,” she said.

“He always made time for his friends. He was a very, very special young man.”

She said he developed asthma at a young child, but grew out of it as a teenager.

Mrs Taankink said his asthma reoccurred in the weeks before he became really sick.

“But he really hasn’t been sick for 11 and a half years — he was generally a strong and healthy boy,” she said.

“He was a wonderful boy and always happy. He has been taken too soon. I don’t know how I am go to live without him, I don’t know how I am going to get out of bed in the morning.”

The couple praised Regional Express Airlines for funding them a seat to Adelaide at the last minute and only charging them $45 each for the flight.

A date for the funeral has yet to be set.

Country Health SA to investigate death

Country Health SA chief executive officer George Beltchev yesterday expressed his most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Andrew Taankink.

The health chief said Mr Taankink initially presented to Mount Gambier Hospital on June 30, where he was treated for asthma.

He responded well to treatment and was seen twice over the next few days.

Mr Beltchev said Mr Taankink then presented over a month later on August 6 with a different illness.

“He was tested for swine flu on August 8 and was found to be negative for swine flu and was allowed to go home,” he said.

“Mr Taankink returned on August 10. The clinicians determined that his condition had deteriorated and he was admitted to hospital.”

Mr Beltchev said Mr Taankink tested positive for swine flu on August 12 and was transferred to Flinders Medical Centre on August 13.

“Despite care in Flinders Medical Centre over several weeks, he deteriorated and died on October 1,” he said.

“His death has been referred to the Coroner.

“Sadly, this demonstrates that swine flu is a serious illness and why the Federal Government has ordered 21 million doses of the swine flu vaccine so that all Australians might ultimately be protected against H1N1.”

He said Country Health SA would undertake its own investigation into the case.

“Finally, given the matter has been referred to the Coroner, SA Health is unable to make any further comment at this stage,” Mr Beltchev said.

Andrew's parents

Hans and Mary Taankink are inconsolable as they look through photographs of Andrew as a young child.

SANDRA MORELLO

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Comments

6 Responses to “Hospital questioned over swine flu death”

  1. ex Mt Gambier resident on October 10th, 2009 10:38 am 1

    Mt Gambier Hospital has a history of this sub-standard health care and nothing seems to have changed. Perhaps they should consider treating animals instead of humans and convert the hospital into a veterinary hospital. I would not like to rely on this hospital if I were seriously ill. My advice is get to a proper hospital for specialised care.

  2. Claire on October 12th, 2009 1:45 pm 2

    Any person so ill as Andrew obviously was,should not have to return four times to be taken seriously. If he was a private patient I’m betting he would have been admitted the first time and kept there for more than a day or two.
    The hospital is going through it seems to me, a period of sustained apathy, with a flippant disregard for patients fundamental rights, if my recent experience and Andrews treatment are anything to go by. An overhaul of present practise and staff attitude is sorely needed.
    Sadly my bad MGH experience happened I think before Andrews death and maybe if I had written a formal letter of complaint and not just phoned about it, the hospital may have investigated my complaint more fully. Being a placid person, with a deep respect for the other wonderful medical and nursing professionals I have encountered , I now realise I should have made much more of my matter.
    I am certain there are more people out there with similar stories. I urge them to speak up if we are to improve things.
    My sincere and heart felt condolences go out to the Taankink family on the loss of their beloved son.

  3. michelle webb on October 12th, 2009 11:34 pm 3

    i n my another half know andrew through a friend n he was very caring n a very loving young man n he was always laughing n very happy at TAFE. It was so wrong what the hospital did n they should have admited him sooner then he would be here will is family n closest friends that loved him as a best mate n treated him as a bro. we will miss him n we give our condolesncdes to the taankink family on the loss of their beloved son.

  4. Mannah on October 13th, 2009 12:26 am 4

    A little off topic I think but a comment rgarding the lack of treatment My husband went in with broken fingers and a nurse tried to pull his fingers back into joint all before the xrays had returned however when I turned up and she began to pull on his broken fingers and I yelled at her to stop as I could hear popping and cracking she gave me a dirty look and walked off in a huff, I’m sorry woman but I will not let you do that! rudest hospital I have ever been to!

  5. Andrew Kiernan on October 25th, 2009 7:22 pm 5

    Andrew will be very missed he was always on paltalk and was a good friend take care buddy

  6. Carolyn on November 9th, 2009 12:06 pm 6

    I met Andrew at TAFE many years ago. He was a lovely and extremly happy boy (young man). He loved to talk and at times I’m sure his mobile was glued to his ear.

    He was a beautiful, gentle young man who is going to be sadly missed

    My heart bleeds for his mum and dad. Andrew was their life and joy ( I know the family). It’s so very very sad.

    If I could have taken Andrew’s place, I’d do it in a heartbeat.

    I’m sorry there’s nothing anyone can say to help their pain, except Andrew touched everyone’s heart that knew him.

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