Hospital in Bangkok under fire as injured woman dies

[webfact]

Hospital under fire as injured woman dies

By KHANATHIT SRIHIRUNDAJ 
THE NATION

 

 

A BANGKOK hospital was accused of sending a 38-year-old woman, who had sustained injuries after her jealous husband splashed acid on her face at 5am on Friday, to another hospital for which she has subscribed to a universal healthcare scheme or “gold card” but the woman reportedly died in the taxi on the way in front of her 12-year-old daughter.

 

Praram 2 Hospital adviser Dr Peera Kananuwaton yesterday told the press, quoting from the nurse’s report of the incident, that the woman’s symptoms were deemed as non-critical, as she was conscious and was able to answer questions and had level-1 chemical burns and normal blood pressure. 

 

The doctor claimed the woman had told the staff about her wish to be treated at Bang Mod Hospital, which was located not far away. So the staff sent her in a taxi and gave her daughter Bt40 for the fare. 

 

Peera also contended that the woman did not die in the taxi on the way – which would have fallen under his hospital’s responsibility – but she had died at Bang Mod Hospital.

 

Hospital director Dr Wallapa Chaimanowong offered condolences to the deceased patient’s family and affirmed that the hospital had no reason to deny the patient, as they could have got the medical bill reimbursed from the government. She said the patient had expressed her wish to get a treatment under the “gold card” subscription and the nurse assessed the wound as non-critical so she was allowed to go.

 

The hospital’s explanation to reporters enraged Atchariya Ruangratanapong, a lawyer and chairman of a Facebook group assisting crime victims. He went with the victim’s daughter and relatives yesterday morning to protest by carrying the victim’s body in a coffin around the hospital compound. 

 

As Peera offered his explanations, the victim’s relatives shouted angry words, the victim’s daughter broke into tears while Atchariya demanded that the hospital reveal CCTV footage to back its claim. Peera did not accede to their requests and went ahead with his explanation. 

 

Atchariya reportedly shouted that he would have the medical profession licence of the responsible party revoked. He said he would request police to probe the case and would file a complaint with the Public Health Ministry against the hospital, as he claimed there was no doctor available at the time but only nurses.

 

Atchariya said he wanted the hospital to explain and take responsibility for their actions, as the woman should have been considered an emergency patient and hence not allowed to seek treatment elsewhere, which resulted in her death. He claimed this could be both criminal and civil offences. Atchariya said he would ask for a copy of the autopsy result from Tha Kham police soon. 

 

According to Tha Kham police Superintendent Pol Colonel Apirat Phumkumar, the husband, who had fled after splashing his wife’s face with acid at home, was not yet in custody and police expected to arrest him soon.

 

According to the victim’s daughter, she and her injured mother hailed a taxi from home to Bang Mod Hospital but the taxi driver suggested that they instead go to Praram 2 Hospital as it was nearer. When they reached there, the nurse checked and initially washed the wounds and wrapped a bandage before asking about the patient’s healthcare scheme. The daughter reportedly said her mother had a “gold card” scheme with Bang Mod Hospital. 

 

The nurse asked them either to treat there or treat at the subscribed facility before giving them Bt40 fare and putting them in a taxi. On the way, the mother’s condition worsened and she was in such pain that she passed out, the daughter said. A Bang Mod Hospital doctor tried to resuscitate her but they later told her that her mother had died.

 

Meanwhile, Dr Nattawut Prasertsiripong, director-general of the Health Service Support Department, commented that he had already instructed officials to conduct a fact-finding probe over the allegation of the private hospital denying the acid victim treatment.

 

He said the probe would investigate key points, including whether the hospital had sufficiently assessed and treated the emergency patient and, if necessary or if the patient wished to be treated elsewhere, whether the hospital had arranged for appropriate patient referral. If the hospital were deemed to have failed to act appropriately, the department would impose a punishment for violation of the Health Facility Act, BE 2541.

 

Nattawut urged all private hospitals to maintain the morality and humanitarian principle in helping patients and injured persons. In cases where people witnessed a private hospital turning down an emergency patient in Bangkok, he urged them to call the department via phone at 02 193 7000 extension 18618 during office hours and, for those upcountry, to call a respective provincial health office.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30358333

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-11-12

 

[alfalfa19]

What a terrible way to die.  And her 12 year old daughter will be traumatized for life due to witnessing the entire episode.  I hope that the husband pays dearly for his action. 

[DoctorG]

Can only fence-sit on this one as not enough information to make a real comment. Both versions appear plausible. 

[YetAnother]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

to another hospital for which she has subscribed to a universal healthcare scheme

the hospital in the first instance is at fault; as professional care-givers their duty is to professionally diagnose emergency cases and inform the patient and treat them; in this case, the patient incorrectly assumed her case was not an emergency and 'could wait'; she was not a professional and the nurses (note, not doctors) should have overridden her decision

[BritManToo]

Can't see there's anyone to blame but the acid throwing husband.

[OmarZaid]

She either had an underlying serious health condition (e.g. weak heart) , or she aspirated some of the acid. Details given are full of holes. However, initial treatment and a full medical assessment were in order before transfer. And yes, this is murder, the husband should hang. 

[thaichiro]

Not sure where this acid throwing started but these perpetrators have to be tied up in the center of town and have acid sprayed on them... slowly.

[bristolgeoff]

Did she have gold cover for health care and wanted treatment elsewhere.should thè first hospital give treatment instead of the one she wanted.it will all go come out in the wash I imagine

[Mangkhut]

52 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Can't see there's anyone to blame but the acid throwing husband.

My thoughts exactly!

 

Moronic to blame the hospital. They did what the patient wanted - they transferred her to the hospital of her whish.

To treat any patient against his or hers will is actually not allowed where I come - when the patient is concious, alert, clear and oriented that is. 

 

Now - take that woman molester of a husband and give him what he deserve. Maybe a couple of liters of acid in his face...

[Will27]

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

Can't see there's anyone to blame but the acid throwing husband.

Seriously?

 

Sure we need more facts, but how can you say (if true) a nurse puts a severely injured person

into a taxi and she dies on route, that there's no one to blame.

[chrisinth]

43 minutes ago, OmarZaid said:

She either had an underlying serious health condition (e.g. weak heart) , or she aspirated some of the acid. Details given are full of holes. However, initial treatment and a full medical assessment were in order before transfer. And yes, this is murder, the husband should hang. 

She could also have lapsed into secondary shock, something that the hospital should/would have been aware of.

 

Often overlooked, secondary shock is a killer.

 

The above is only an opinion as all the facts aren't clear.

[British Bulldog]

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

Can't see there's anyone to blame but the acid throwing husband.

I agree ... quite a long article and hardly a mention of the cause of it all ....

[BritManToo]

7 minutes ago, Will27 said:

nurse puts a severely injured person

into a taxi and she dies on route, that there's no one to blame.

2

Patient was walking, talking and wanted to leave.

As far as I can see the nurse (or anyone else in the hospital) would have no choice.

 

If the hospital told her to leave, that would be a different story.

(and nobody has seen the CCTV footage)

[Will27]

6 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Patient was walking, talking and wanted to leave.

As far as I can see the nurse (or anyone else in the hospital) would have no choice.

 

If the hospital told her to leave, that would be a different story.

(and nobody has seen the CCTV footage)

Seeing as she was so critically injured, a nurse might come to the conclusion that she wasn't in any condition to make

an informed decision like that.

[theguyfromanotherforum]

24 minutes ago, Mangkhut said:

They did what the patient wanted - they transferred her to the hospital of her whish.

 

Aha.... that's what they say

[lvr181]

1 hour ago, alfalfa19 said:

What a terrible way to die.  And her 12 year old daughter will be traumatized for life due to witnessing the entire episode.  I hope that the husband pays dearly for his action. 

R.I.P "mother" and condolences to family (except husband) and friends.

 

He is a Superintendent Pol Colonel - I think/expect a very light punishment  

He should do some jail time AND be fired from his job. The cretin can say 'sorry and wai' as much as he likes but there can be NO excuse for what he has done!

 

Since when do nurses diagnose? That is the job of a trained Dr.

[bipper]

34 minutes ago, Mangkhut said:

My thoughts exactly!

 

Moronic to blame the hospital. They did what the patient wanted - they transferred her to the hospital of her whish.

To treat any patient against his or hers will is actually not allowed where I come - when the patient is concious, alert, clear and oriented that is. 

 

Now - take that woman molester of a husband and give him what he deserve. Maybe a couple of liters of acid in his face...

Simply about money. Lady not registered in first hospital then they afraid they would not be reimbursed sent her to the hospital she was registered in. Thai nurse explained.

[colinneil]

Avery sad situation, the only person to blame is the cretin of a husband, who should be charged with manslaughter, and jailed for life.

Regarding the hospital, many nurses think they know best, never listen to the patient, never call a doctor.

R.I.P. too young to die, i feel for her child being there and seeing her mother die, a very traumatic experience, that no child should ever see.

 

Regarding the nurse, she is to blame for sending the lady to another hospital, nurse should have assessed the situation and called a doctor, regardless of the patients wishes, after the doctor had seen the patient then and only then transfer the patient.

[ttrd]

 

 

RIP

[Happy Grumpy]

Didn't they at least give her a course of antibiotics first? 

[StevieAus]

1 hour ago, YetAnother said:

the hospital in the first instance is at fault; as professional care-givers their duty is to professionally diagnose emergency cases and inform the patient and treat them; in this case, the patient incorrectly assumed her case was not an emergency and 'could wait'; she was not a professional and the nurses (note, not doctors) should have overridden her decision

Doctors or Nurses cannot override a patients decision to refuse or seek treatment elsewhere ( if this is what occurred).

I had a relative who worked in a large hospital in Sydney who told me of many examples of this occurring.

My late Mother who often suffered from severe depression on many occasions over her life discharged herself from hospital on many occasions against medical advice.

[neeray]

40 minutes ago, bipper said:

Simply about money. Lady not registered in first hospital then they afraid they would not be reimbursed sent her to the hospital she was registered in. Thai nurse explained.

Your theory seems to contradict all others here including the news article itself.

Edited November 12, 2018 by neeray
should read "contradict"

[cardinalblue]

The issue I have is some chemicals you do not treat with water....my guess is she got inadequate care at the hospital before being transferred....which leads to how she was transferred...once into a medical system, that hospital should have Transferred her by medical personnel/ ambulance....

 

so the hospital handling of the case needs to be reviewed and critiqued...

 

cause of death will reflect how much or little the hospital’s accountability....

Edited November 12, 2018 by cardinalblue

[Tiredofglasshalfemptyexpat]

2 hours ago, DoctorG said:

Can only fence-sit on this one as not enough information to make a real comment. Both versions appear plausible. 

So you're busy then? Or you think we're interested in your opinion?

[bluesofa]

7 minutes ago, colinneil said:

Avery sad situation, the only person to blame is the cretin of a husband, who should be charged with manslaughter, and jailed for life.

Regarding the hospital, many nurses think they know best, never listen to the patient, never call a doctor.

{snipped}

I agree about nurses' attitudes - sometimes.

 

I took a friend to a military hospital (at 8 a.m.) with a broken shoulder blade that had occurred a couple of days previously.

The nurse tried to to tell him to come back in the evening as that when when the orthopaedic surgery opened.

His wife was with us, and just accepted it. I argued with the nurse, saying he was in pain and needed to see someone right away.

I made enough fuss that a more senior nurse came to see what the problem was. She immediately sent my friend the ER and they sorted it out straight away.

Irrespective it was a 50km round trip every time, his wife wouldn't argue the toss, like so many Thais who tend to kowtow to anyone with minor authority.

[atyclb]

1 hour ago, Juan B Tong said:

Standard USA best practice is to diagnose and transfer only when the patient condition is stabilized.

 

(Emergency rooms must accept all patients including indigent/homeless/penniless for this initial process.)

 

patients have the absolute right to refuse treatment (unless they are deemed mentally incompetent or intoxicated) and leave simply to leave or to go to a different facility.

 

if her injuries were 1st degree burn (tantamount to sunburn), vital signs normal, walking and talking and no other complaints except "splashed with acid" and didn't want to be treated further at that hospital she has the absolute right to do so. even mentally competent non intoxicated patients with heart attacks or other immediate threat to life of limb problems have the right to refuse treatment and leave.

 

another poster mentioned acid aspiration or other underlying or non apparent problem.

 

bang mod hospital is famous for aesthetics and perhaps the lady was thinking she'd rather be at the place that can give her the best aesthetic result post burn.

[atyclb]

28 minutes ago, bluesofa said:

48 minutes ago, colinneil said:

Avery sad situation, the only person to blame is the cretin of a husband, who should be charged with manslaughter, and jailed for life.

Regarding the hospital, many nurses think they know best, never listen to the patient, never call a doctor.

{snipped}

I agree about nurses' attitudes - sometimes.

 

I took a friend to a military hospital (at 8 a.m.) with a broken shoulder blade that had occurred a couple of days previously.

The nurse tried to to tell him to come back in the evening as that when when the orthopaedic surgery opened.

His wife was with us, and just accepted it. I argued with the nurse, saying he was in pain and needed to see someone right away.

I made enough fuss that a more senior nurse came to see what the problem was. She immediately sent my friend the ER and they sorted it out straight away.

Irrespective it was a 50km round trip every time, his wife wouldn't argue the toss, like so many Thais who tend to kowtow to anyone with minor authority.

 

the nurse was correct if the reason for visit was to get definitive orthopedic treatment. if pain were the presenting reason for the visit receiving pain medication would have been appropriate.

 

 

[SOTIRIOS]

...if in fact...'no doctors were in attendance' at the first hospital...as was stated...

 

...this contributed heavily to the patient's death....

 

...she would have had no choice but to go to another hospital anyway...

 

...duhh...

 

...utterly shocking....

 

...pharmacies with no pharmacists.....hospitals with no doctors.....???

 

...jeez...

[farq]

Why was there no DOCTOR on duty in the Emergency Department of this "hospital"?! It is not up to some dubiously qualified nurse who is only there to ASSIST a duly qualified medical practitioner in the assessment and treatment of emergency patients!! A most unprofessional attitude by the hospital in their manner of patient care!!

[ReMarKable]

Are nurses qualified to determine whether she was stable enough to move to another hospital?  I don't think they are.  Why would a hospital have no doctors?  Seems strange, but if it was lunch time and the lights were turned off and AC turned off, it might be possible.