Parents of a two-year-old girl with pneumonia say her condition steadily worsened while they spent hours waiting for assistance at the Langley Memorial Hospital emergency ward.

Langley City residents Joel and Stefanie Ackley picked up their daughter Gracie from daycare and took her to LMH on Thursday, Jan. 26, after the toddler developed shortness of breath and a fever.

They said they waited from 3:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. the next day before their daughter was diagnosed, and it was not until Joel raised his voice that action was finally taken.

Stefanie said after their information was taken on arrival at the ER, they were sent to sit and wait, without a physical exam.

害羞草研究所淲hile waiting, our daughter drastically declined, becoming lethargic and unable to stand, 害羞草研究所� Stefanie said.

She estimated Gracie was breathing at a rate of four breaths every two seconds with 害羞草研究所渆xtreme discomfort.害羞草研究所�

A video provided by the parents shows Gracie coughing and struggling to breathe.

When Grace害羞草研究所檚 temperature was finally taken, around 5:45 p.m., her parents estimated she was running a fever of 103.3 F with 90 per cent of normal oxygen levels.

She was given Tylenol.

害羞草研究所淸Gracie害羞草研究所檚 fever] came down by a whole two degrees while we were sent to, yet again, sit and wait,害羞草研究所� Stefanie said.

By 9 p.m., when Joel asked a nurse if someone could come look at Gracie, the parents say they were told 害羞草研究所渨e were lucky to even have a room and that we should be happy we even got a bed.害羞草研究所�

When a frustrated Joel raised his voice, saying 害羞草研究所渃an we please just have someone look at my daughter?害羞草研究所� the parents say the nurse threatened to kick them out.

That brought another nurse, who asked what the issue was.

On explanation, the second nurse examined the two-year-old, then called the ER doctor in, who ordered blood work and an X-ray that, by 1 a.m., confirmed Gracie had pneumonia.

害羞草研究所淭he doctor and two nurses that helped my little one 害羞草研究所� once they finally realized the severity of the situation 害羞草研究所� they were amazing, and I thank these individuals,害羞草研究所� Stefanie said.

害羞草研究所淏ut what is wrong with our health-care system, why is there such a lack of care and organization, and a shortage of staff, and why are these kinds of situations not dealt with properly?害羞草研究所� she added.

As of Monday, Gracie was doing a 害羞草研究所渂it better,害羞草研究所� Joel told the Langley Advance Times.

害羞草研究所淗er fever has broken, but her breathing is still raspy. She害羞草研究所檚 on puffers and antibiotics.害羞草研究所�

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Joel said the family is going public with their story 害羞草研究所渂ecause this is definitely a serious matter 害羞草研究所� that us, as parents, can害羞草研究所檛 have trust or faith in our heath system. We are definitely lucky the outcome was not more severe.害羞草研究所�

害羞草研究所淭his is not fair to our children, or anyone who is is in need of medical attention,害羞草研究所� Joel added.

Since he posted details to a private Facebook community page, Joel said he has been inundated with comments from people who report similar problems of excessive delays.

Langley Advance Times has reached out the Fraser Health Authority for a response.

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