Same-day mastectomy discharge reviewed

ST. JOHN'S, Newfoundland, April 16 (UPI) -- The premier of Canada's Newfoundland and Labrador asked health officials to review having a woman sent home the same day after a double mastectomy.

A breast cancer patient had resisted signing a consent form for same-day release last month before getting a double mastectomy because she had no one at home to care for her, but the hospital had a lack of beds, Liberal Leader Yvonne Jones told the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. However, her other option was to have her surgery canceled, Jones added.

"I can tell you from my own perspective, and this government's perspective, if a woman is put on the street after having a double mastectomy and has to sign a consent form to allow that to happen, that is absolutely unacceptable, and if that is the policy, it will be changed forthwith," Prime Minister Danny Williams told the Legislature Monday.

Norma Baker, of Eastern Health, said such same-day discharges happen from time to time, but the patient is always given a choice.

Eastern Health is the largest integrated health organization in Newfoundland and Labrador serving a regional population of more than 290,000 offering healthcare services province-wide.