A 44-year-old man of Indian origin died at a hospital in Edmonton, Canada, after waiting over eight hours in the emergency department despite severe chest pain. The incident, which occurred on December 22, 2025, is under official medical review to assess emergency care processes and patient monitoring.
A 44-year-old Canadian resident of Indian origin, Prashant Sreekumar, died after waiting for more than eight hours in a hospital emergency department in Edmonton, Alberta, raising concerns about emergency care response and patient monitoring. The incident occurred on December 22, 2025, at Grey Nuns Community Hospital, which is operated by Covenant Health.
According to media reports, Sreekumar developed severe chest pain while at work and was brought to the hospital by a client. On arrival at the emergency department, hospital staff registered and triaged him. Triage is a standard emergency process used to prioritize patients based on the severity of symptoms.
Hospital records indicate that Sreekumar underwent an electrocardiogram (ECG), a test used to detect abnormalities in heart rhythm and signs of a heart attack. Reports suggest that the initial ECG did not show clear acute findings. He was then directed to wait in the emergency area.
While waiting, Sreekumar reportedly continued to experience intense chest pain. He communicated his discomfort to family members over the phone and informed hospital staff about worsening symptoms. Family statements indicate that blood pressure readings were repeatedly taken during this period and were found to be elevated.
He was reportedly given acetaminophen, a commonly used pain-relief medication. No invasive intervention or advanced cardiac treatment was initiated during the waiting period, based on available public information.
After waiting for more than eight hours, Sreekumar was finally called into the treatment area. Shortly after sitting down, he collapsed and went into cardiac arrest. Medical staff initiated emergency resuscitation procedures, but he could not be revived.
Sreekumar is survived by his wife and three children, aged three, ten, and fourteen.
Covenant Health released a statement expressing condolences to the family. Due to patient confidentiality laws, the hospital did not disclose clinical details of the case. The incident has been referred to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, which is standard procedure for hospital deaths that require further review.
Health authorities have confirmed that an independent assessment of the case will examine clinical decision-making and system-related factors.
Chest pain is a high-risk symptom that can indicate conditions such as acute coronary syndrome, heart attack, or cardiac ischemia. Clinical guidelines emphasize timely evaluation, repeated assessment, and close monitoring, even when initial ECG results appear normal. Cardiac events can evolve over time, making continuous reassessment critical.
Emergency departments across publicly funded healthcare systems, including Canada, face challenges such as high patient volume, staff shortages, and limited inpatient beds. These pressures can result in extended waiting times. Prolonged waits may affect early identification of patients whose conditions worsen while awaiting treatment.
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