Cape Breton health authority disputes report on singer Rita MacNeil’s death

SYDNEY, N.S. – The health authority that oversees hospitals in Cape Breton says a published report that suggests singer Rita MacNeil contracted a hospital-acquired infection days before her death is incorrect.

The Cape Breton District Health Authority issued a statement Friday saying it will formally follow-up with the Globe and Mail about the column.

“Without violating the patient’s privacy and confidentiality, the district can say that the patient did not have or die from a health care associated infection,” it says.

The Globe and Mail did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

MacNeil’s family declined comment through her publicist.

The health authority said it had spoken with the family.

“They want to continue to keep the matter private and have asked the district to continue to respect patient privacy and confidentiality,” says the statement.

The statement from the authority says the patient was mentioned in the column but it doesn’t name MacNeil.

Andrew Lynk, a pediatrician and associate vice-president of medicine with the authority, confirmed details of the statement in an interview.

“The claim that the patient died from a hospital-acquired infection is wrong,” he added. “She did not contract a hospital-acquired infection.”

MacNeil died April 16. She was 68.