Family loses 4-year-old daughter during Kapiolani nurses’ lockout

HONOLULU (KHON2) — The ongoing nurses’ lockout at Kapiolani Medical Center has left some families frustrated, complaining of substandard care.

The Agbayani family is one, accusing the temporary nurses at the hospital of neglect which they said is a factor in the death of their four-year-old daughter Ava.

Ava’s family revealed she died on Sept. 17 due to complications from pneumonia. Her father, Tyson Agbayani, said the care was not what the family was used to.

“A lot of nurses in the Carter unit, they’ve taken care of Ava. They know her history,” Agbayani said.

The family held a vigil for Ava on Sunday night at Magic Island in Ala Moana, where they were joined by supporters, friends and Carter nurses.

“It was sad because last night, the vigil that they kind of did for us, as we saw a lot of Carter nurses, and then to see them in tears, you know, they probably would’ve caught it. They probably would’ve seen what was going on and kind of push together more support quicker,” an emotional Tyson added.

Kapiolani Medical Center issued the following statement in regards to the Ava’s death:

Our heart goes out to this family. We treat the sickest and most medically fragile children in our state and the loss of any child is very painful. We are continuing to investigate and at this time we have no reason to believe that what happened was due to the quality of care at Kapi’olani Medical Center for Women & Children.

Kapiolani Medical Center

According to the Agbayani family, a memorial service will be held for Ava later next week.