A British Columbia couple, Laura and Nick Bordignon, found themselves unexpectedly billed for the autopsy of their stillborn child. Despite the emotional distress caused by the erroneous invoice received from the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), the Bordignons are hopeful that the health authorities are taking steps to rectify the system flaws that led to the distressing error.
The couple had chosen the name Makayla Poppy for their baby girl, and the invoice was mistakenly addressed to her. Adding to their anguish, they discovered that their daughter’s body had not been promptly transferred to the funeral home they selected. Instead, it remained in the morgue for about two weeks after the autopsy and almost a month following her delivery on September 25, 2024.
Acknowledging the errors, the health authority promptly canceled the bill. However, unsatisfied with this resolution, the Bordignons insisted on a face-to-face meeting with hospital officials to ensure that their grief was not overlooked.
During the meeting, Laura expressed that the hospital officials were transparent in explaining the investigative process to identify the breakdown in communication that led to the mistake. Nick emphasized that the issue was not a single person’s failure but rather a systemic problem with significant communication gaps and overlapping responsibilities.
The Bordignons were reassured that corrective measures were being implemented to prevent similar errors in the future. Processes within the PHSA revenue services have been adjusted to avoid such mistakes, including the automation of systems to minimize human error. Efforts to improve communication and coordination between hospitals, especially in cases of stillbirth, miscarriage, and infant death, are also underway.
Furthermore, the couple’s advocacy work for better healthcare communication was temporarily paused earlier this year due to the birth of their newborn son. They were joined by family and friends in forming Team Makayla Poppy, raising funds for the Butterfly Support Network, a non-profit organization aiding families coping with loss during the journey to parenthood.
The couple found solace in the community support they received and saw the fundraising efforts as a meaningful tribute to their late daughter’s memory. They hope that by sharing their story, they can help break the silence surrounding stillbirth, miscarriage, and infant loss, fostering a more open dialogue to support others facing similar challenges.