Rheanna Laderoute, a reportedly healthy 21-year-old woman from Ontario, died as a result of complications following an abortion. Her tragic passing was followed by urgent inquiries regarding her treatment. Next, we need to look at the potential breakdowns in our healthcare systems. Rheanna’s sister, Kassandra Costabile, has taken to social media to berate medical professionals. She thought doctors failed to provide a medical response to Rheanna’s deteriorating health.
Rheanna was part of the first-ever graduating class of 2020. She shone through with her impressive empathy, quiet grace, and unusual sense of humor. Eight years younger than her sister Kassandra, Rheanna was a miracle baby and the apple of her family’s eye. For graduation, Kassandra got Rheanna a gold necklace with the word “Always” engraved on it to represent their special bond.
On February 23, Rheanna went to that same women’s health clinic in Brampton, Ontario, to get her abortion. Two weeks later, she was back, facing dire complications like uncontrollable bleeding and intense abdominal pain. When she did need emergency care, the clinic was unable to communicate with her. Sadly, they were unable to reach her because the phone number she listed turned out to be disconnected.
Rheanna had first presented to the emergency department 3 weeks prior. Following that visit, she was able to get a referral to Southlake’s early pregnancy loss clinic for further evaluation. However, her condition continued to worsen. She got to Southlake’s emergency department by ambulance about 24 hours after being released. A week later, she was brought back to the same facility by ambulance, once more in serious condition.
On her last visit, paramedics and emergency department nurses noted that Rheanna had reported severe worsening of her low abdominal pain. She repeatedly documented the decline in her condition. Despite this alarming report, she was not seen by a doctor until 4:20 a.m., with IV antibiotics not being prescribed until a third emergency doctor assessed her around 7 a.m.
By 2:30 p.m., nearly 16 hours into her third visit, Rheanna received piperacillin and tazobactam treatment. Tragically, at around 5:10 p.m., her heart stopped.
Human trafficking survivor Kassandra Costabile shared her haunting story of fighting for her sister’s requirements during this time.
“Can you read me what you said to the nurses when they were trying to fight for her to be in the ICU?” – Ms. Costabile
In the wake of Rheanna’s death, Kassandra wrote about how she was devastated by losing her sister and how much she loved her sister.
“I’ll always be proud of you, I’ll always be there for you, I’ll always trust you, and most importantly, I will always love you with all my heart. You were and always will be the greatest surprise of my life.” – Ms. Costabile
Healthcare professionals who were directly involved with the care of Rheanna’s case have made statements on the events. As a nurse friend of Rheanna’s witnessed, multiple efforts were made to advocate for Rheanna’s emergency treatment. Sadly, these pleas were met with indifference from the floor attending physicians.
“Throughout the day, multiple attempts were made at advocating to [Dr. Chang] re patient deteriorating and also to [internal] medicine MD that patient not appropriate for [emergency department] floor, to no avail,” – a nurse
Even the other physician testifying for the state at this case understood the dire straits as Rheanna’s health worsened.
“We continue on an uphill battle here. She has multi-organ failure.” – an ICU doctor
Her tragic case has brought to light many systemic issues that plague our healthcare system. Dr. Cohen has highlighted concerns regarding gender discrimination in medical treatment and the need for improvements in the emergency department’s understanding of women’s health issues.
“Southlake has had since 2018 to investigate serious concerns about gender discrimination and I’m not at all reassured by how they’ve dealt with it,” – Dr. Cohen
Dr. Cohen emphasized the hospital’s duty to address systemic issues in women’s reproductive health care. Now it’s up to them to show that they’re improving in meaningful ways.
“I think the onus is on the hospital now to show that they’ve actually addressed long-standing concerns, including the possibility of a women’s health knowledge and skills gap in the emergency department.” – Dr. Cohen
In the wake of Rheanna Laderoute’s death, Derek Rowland, communications director for Southlake, issued a statement extending sympathies to Laderoute’s family.
“The loss of any young life is a tragedy and our hearts go out to Ms. Laderoute’s parents and the entire Laderoute family.” – Southlake (via Derek Rowland)
