The pediatric ICU doctor who saw Brandon Schafer-Kovacs when he was brought into hospital says the symptoms of sepsis can be observed by parents or caregivers.
The doctor was testifying Tuesday at the coroner’s inquest examining the death of the 14-year-old, who was under the care of Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Social Services when he fell ill in November 2022.
Another doctor testified on Monday that Schafer-Kovacs died of septic shock and multi-organ failure that was likely due to a co-infection with influenza A and streptococcus pneumonia.
On Tuesday, Dr. Meghan Garner said a fever would have been a common symptom between both the infections that could have been checked by caregivers. She was in the pediatric ICU when Schafer-Kovacs was admitted.
The inquest has heard that none of the staff members at Eagle’s Nest Youth Ranch, where Schafer-Kovacs lived, had checked the teen’s fever in the days before he was brought to hospital because their thermometer was broken.
Other symptoms they could have observed included lethargy and struggling to breathe, headache, respiratory issues, vomiting and diarhhea, Garner said.
Schafer-Kovacs died in hospital on Nov. 28, 2022.
Some staff members gave contradictory testimony about the time leading up to the teen’s hospitalization.
Two youth workers said he never asked them to go to hospital, but there were staff notes that indicated Schafer-Kovacs had asked to go to the hospital eight days before he died. Another care worker testified that staff members were aware of the request and there was discussion among staff about Schafer-Kovacs asking go to the hospital.
Kamya Thomas, who was filling in at the home due to staffing issues, testified that she raised concerns with staff that Schafer-Kovacs was unwell and should be taken to hospital.
Marie Digby, one of the case workers, told the inquest jury that she texted the teen’s mother that he was “really sick” six days before his death. Eventually, Digby found Schafer-Kovacs disoriented and unable to speak.
Digby also said Schafer-Kovacs had a history of lying about illnesses and asking to see the doctor to get out of school.
Doctor says earlier medical attention may have saved 14-year-old Saskatoon boy’s life
Newly promoted manager Ryan Walsh had only been in the role two weeks. During his testimony on Tuesday, Walsh said he had little training. He believed Schafer-Kovacs just had the flu and Walsh said he didn’t think it was “dire.”
Walsh said he wasn’t aware of any clear policies on how to respond when a child got sick or what symptoms to monitor. He also testified he was aware the teen had asked to see a doctor earlier in the week.
Coroner Blaine Beaven is presiding over the inquest, which began Monday at the Travelodge hotel with the selection of a six-person jury. The purpose of an inquest includes establishing the medical cause and manner of death, and the coroner’s jury may make recommendations to prevent similar deaths.
The witnesses on Monday included Schafer-Kovacs’s mother, Chantelle Schafer, who said the system failed her son. She said she offered to take him to hospital but was denied, and that her son was begging to see a doctor but his cries went unheard.
Dr. Gregory Hansen, who treated the teen on the last day he was alive, told the jury Monday that Schafer-Kovacs’s death could have been prevented if he was brought to hospital sooner. Family members broke down in the room after hearing that testimony.
The inquest is scheduled to continue Wednesday.
