GPHC provides facts regarding the death of Quavo Daniel Kashika

The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) wishes to address several inaccurate and misleading articles concerning the unfortunate death of little Quavo Daniel Kashika at our institution on 8^th February 2019.

Ms. Odessa Ford, the infant’s mother, was admitted to GPHC’s Maternity Ward on 19^th December 2018 where she gave birth to the premature infant male, Quavo. At the time of birth, the infant was diagnosed with low birth weight, pulmonary sepsis and respiratory failure, all associated with premature birth.  As is the norm with premature babies, the infant was transferred to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for care and treatment. His mother was subsequently discharged on 22^nd December 2018 while Quavo remained in the NICU until he was discharged on 21^st January 2019.

During his stay at the hospital, which was over one month, Quavo remained intubated in the NICU and was closely monitored by the medical staff and treated with a variety of medication to improve his condition.

On 24^th December 2018, the bulb of a heat lamp that was located in the incubator to provide warmth for the infant exploded causing an area on Quavo’s arm and another on his leg to be scorched. One of the nurses monitoring the NICU at the time also received superficial burns to her forearm as she removed Quavo from danger.  No other infant was affected by this incident.  The attending physician was immediately summoned to examine the infant.  On examination, the physician found superficial, non-life-threatening burns to the infant’s left arm and leg.  Quavo was subsequently referred to our Burn Care Unit for review and management.

Following this unfortunate incident, Quavo continued to be nursed in the NICU until his secondary respiratory challenges were resolved and he was subsequently discharged into the care of his mother on 21^st January 2019.  The mother was given appointment dates to return to the hospital with the infant so that he could receive further treatment and his overall condition could be monitored.

On 7^th February 2019, some three weeks after discharge, Quavo was readmitted to GPHC in an extremely weakened state and with severe respiratory difficulties. Unfortunately, despite the valiant efforts of the medical staff to stabilize him, he died on 8^th February 2019, one day after readmission.

In accordance with GPHC protocol, a post-mortem examination was conducted on 15^th February 2019.   The post mortem report stated the cause of death as “inclusive” but ruled out “death due to burns”.

Quavo’s mother and his grandmother Sharon Harding met with the hospital Administration on 12^th February 2019 seeking information with regard to the circumstances which led to the infant sustaining burns.  They were informed that the Administration had already mandated that a thorough investigation be carried out and the findings relayed to them upon conclusion. The family was subsequently invited to GPHC on 18^th February 2019 for a report, however, the family members were unavailable to attend.  They were subsequently briefed on 21^st February 2019.

The family members were informed that the respiratory challenges and poor condition of the infant at the time of readmission were unrelated to his burns.  They were also informed that the superficial burns sustained by Quavo were not life threatening and, as evidenced by the post mortem report, did not cause his death. A formal apology was also offered to the family with regard to the burns sustained by the infant.  Following that meeting Ms Odessa Forde appeared satisfied with the explanation offered. However, Ms. Sharon Harding; who was not directly involved in the care of Quavo, remained relentless.

The incident was an unfortunate one that was random and unforeseen.  We continue to monitor and conduct risk assessments on various types of equipment within this institution in an effort to continuously reduce the risks associated with their usage during patient care.   The Board of Directors, Administration and staff of the GPHC formally apologize for the incident which resulted in Quavo Daniel Kashika being burnt, and we express our sincerest condolences to the bereaved family.