A 91-year-old woman who suffered multiple fractures after being violently assaulted by another patient at Notre-Dame hospital does not know if she can regain her autonomy.
“It happens to me in the hospital! I’m not at home, I’m in the hospital! says Réjeanne Hamel, still in shock.
Despite her advanced age, the Montreal native was independent and lived alone in her apartment until her recent hospitalization in the internal medicine department due to lung problems.
However, on January 11, the lady was violently attacked by her flatmate (whose identity we do not know), confirms management of the Center for Integrated Health and Social Services (CISSS) Centre-Sud.
At around 1:30 am, Ms. Hamel got up to go to the toilet and was attacked by the man for no reason.
“I had done nothing”
“He jumped on me! I screamed myself to death there. Screaming, help has come. He threw me on the floor, remembers the woman she met in her room. I couldn’t get up, I couldn’t do anything! »
According to Ms Hamel, nurses intervened to control her attacker.
“Don’t ask me who did it or his face,” she said, vowing she didn’t know this patient. I didn’t understand anything, I hadn’t done anything!
“I was supposed to have my vacation the next day! adds the Montrealer, visibly discouraged.
According to her family, the patient needed urgent surgery last Friday for multiple fractures on the right side (hip, thigh, arm). A large bruise on his face still shows the marks of the attack.
“It’s not confusing, I broke the whole right side,” laments the victim, who is still in pain. I have metal bars. I have eight weeks in the shoulder and hip for life. »
The police intervened after the attack at the hospital. The 76-year-old suspect was arrested and released. He had no criminal record.
Angry, Frau Hamel’s daughter doesn’t understand what could have happened.
“She is very busy. We are no longer safe in the hospital, there is a nasty problem, reacts Sylvie Richard. A mistake has crept in somewhere. »
The latter does not yet know whether her mother wants to pursue the legal aspect.
In this respect, the hospital management describes the attack as “unacceptable”. However, we are assured that Mrs Hamel’s neighbor was examined before he was admitted to the internal medicine unit.
“He showed no signs of violence during his investigation, no signs of aggression, no signs of excitement,” spokesman Jean-Nicolas Aubé said.
“It is a great sadness what happened to this woman,” he adds.
In addition, Mr. Aubé ensures that all safety measures are taken when a patient is at risk of violence. However, he concedes that “zero risk” does not exist.
Since the attack, security has been tightened around the violent patient.
end of autonomy?
Ms. Hamel will have to go to a rehabilitation center in the coming weeks. Sure, she doesn’t know if she’ll regain her autonomy given her advanced age.
“I’m in an apartment, I did everything by myself. will i get over this I don’t know,” she sighs.
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