Shouldice Hernia Clinic: Negligence or Just a 'Mistake'

Shouldice Hernia Clinic. Located in Thornhill, Ontario.

On September 19th of 2009, John Sarrazin, a regular blue-collar man, went in for a standard hernia operation. The 47 year old had previously visited this hospital in April of 2008 to get operated on a hernia as well. The problem that occurred this time around, was a punctured artery. John was then sewn up and taken back to his room to recover. His two daughters and wife visited later in the afternoon. When the family arrived the surgeon that operated on John, Dr. Singal, arrived to check on the patients in his room, which was to include him. Although the doctor arrived in the room to check on John, he saw that there were three women there visiting the patient, stated " Well you seem to have three beautiful women to take care of you, obviously don't need me." Dr. Singal then walked out.

For almost twenty four hours John Sarrazin laid in agony as he was internally bleeding. Nurses could not figure out what the problem was, so they attempted to feed him crackers and ginger ale, because John was complaining of a sever stomach ache. What they didn't realize was that John Sarrazin was internally bleeding out. The nurses and doctors also neglected to check his previous record of attending Shouldice, to show that within hours of his previous surgery he was walking around. By not doing this, they subjected John to the unknown, attempting to figure out a problem that could have been prevented.

At 10:30 am the following morning, Mr. Sarrazin was rushed to North York General Hospital via ambulance. As he was being transferred to the hospital, the nurse handed him his cell phone and told John to call his wife to let her know that he was being transferred to a hospital. Once he was at the hospital John was left on a gurney for an hour until his wife, Angelle Sarrazin, arrived. John was almost colourless, and not one medical official had taken the time to see what the problem was. It was later found out that Shouldice hadn't called ahead to let North York General know that he would be arriving.

Immediately after John's wife arrived, the ball started rolling. Angelle got the attention of medical officials and they instantly rushed Mr. Sarrazin to get an MRI. Once the MRI was completed the Sarrazins were notified that John was internally bleeding and the outcome was not looking too good. He was rushed into the O.R to undergo a procedure called an Angiogram. This operation consists of entering from the opposite side of the body where the bleeding is happening, and then attempting to clamp off the vein or artery that is compromised.

The operation was unsuccessful. Mr. Sarrazin was still bleeding internally. As soon as the procedure was rendered unsuccessful, he was rushed back into the O.R to undergo another operation. The procedure was to undo the entire hernia surgery and tie off the artery that was profusely bleeding. This operation lasted about two hours. This surgery was successful.

John Sarrazin was then put in ICU. The surgeon that saved his life said that he may never work again. Mr. Sarrazin disagreed with what the doctors and nurses told him and was released from the hospital in just two weeks.

Although the procedures were successful in saving John's life, the long term aftermath is still taking a toll on his body. Being a physical labourer, John can no longer work to the full extent that he has been for the last 30 years of his life. Mr. Sarrazin is now in a battle for compensation of the negligence that was bestowed upon him. The lawyer is not charging him to represent what he needs, but medical officials to testify at his trail, will cost him upwards of $20,000.

At this point, almost ten months after the incident, John is back at work, although will never be able to lift any thing again. Needless to say, Mr. Sarrazin still has a hernia. He must get this operated on before it ruptures.

Hopefully in the end, John Sarrazin will see justice on what has happened to him, his wife, and his four children.