Infection After Surgery Leaves 7 Blind In Khon Kaen

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Infection after surgery leaves 7 blind in Khon Kaen

By The Nation

Published on January 5, 2010

Up to seven patients have lost sight in one eye while two have been left completely blind after undergoing cataract surgery at the Khon Kaen Hospital. Some 25 patients underwent cataract surgery in the hospital between December 14 and 16.

Soon after the surgery was completed, the eyes of 11 patients were found to be infected.

After administering immediate treatment, the hospital sent nine of the affected patients to the Srinagarindra Hospital, also located in Khon Kaen; while one was sent to a hospital in Nakhon Pathom at the request of relatives and one continued receiving treatment at the Khon Kaen Hospital.

Of the 11 patients, the eyes of two patients had to be removed, while five lost their eyesight.

So far, four of the 11 patients have recovered satisfactorily, though six have been allowed to go home and the rest are still being treated at the Khon Kaen Hospital.

Meanwhile, hospital director Dr Weerapan Supanchaimat said yesterday the affected patients would be compensated according to law. Under the law, each of the patients is entitled to a compensation of between Bt50,000 and Bt120,000.

Weerapan said his hospital had already given Bt54,000 in initial assistance to the patients.

"We will also provide the best treatment possible, and those whose eyes have been taken out will be provided with artificial eyes," Weerapan said.

Niyom Saennoi, 64, said his right eye hurt a lot after the surgery at the Khon Kaen Hospital on December 15. Later, he was summoned for an eye examination during which he was told that he would lose his eyesight due to a serious infection.

"I could not take it, it was too much to bear," Niyom said, adding that he only pulled through due to the overwhelming support he got from his wife, children and doctor.

"The doctor promised to do his best for my other eye," he said.

Meanwhile, all eye surgery has been suspended at the hospital, Weerapan said.

The hospital's committee on the control and prevention of infectious diseases reported that the infections had been caused by the Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria.

"Though this bacterium is quite common, it is unclear why it got into the wounds. At this point, we are convinced the infection was contracted during surgery," Weerapan said, adding that the hospital's standards about patient care before, during and after surgery would be improved.

"We will not allow such a thing to happen again," he said.

Public Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr Phaijit Warachit expressed his sympathy, saying: "We are sorry for what has happened."

Paijit said the patients and their families should be given good care, adding that he had already instructed all hospitals to prevent such incidents.

-- The Nation 2010-01-05

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[mca]

Meanwhile, hospital director Dr Weerapan Supanchaimat said yesterday the affected patients would be compensated according to law. Under the law, each of the patients is entitled to a compensation of between Bt50,000 and Bt120,000.

Which wouldn't buy Dr Weerapan a decent set of golf clubs.

Edited January 5, 2010 by mca

[ukrules]

What a pathetically low amount of compensation

[Scott]

Very sad for the victims.

[PeaceBlondie]

So sad. Especially for those who are now blind.

[mca]

Sometimes I wish Thailand had a bit of the vilified "compensation culture" so ordinary folks could sue the arse off completely negligent entities which would be no more than they deserved.

I remember a couple of years back that Saraburi coach crash where the passengers could smell burning and informed the driver who, needless to say, carried on until the bus crashed.

If I recall correctly families of the bereaved received 100k baht compensation.

What's that for a life? A couple of Honda Waves and an LCD TV?

[DocHolliday]

"We will not allow such a thing to happen again," he said.

Public Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr Phaijit Warachit expressed his sympathy, saying: "We are sorry for what has happened."

An unbelievable sarcastic statement

[zzdocxx]

I'm speechless.

[Teddy3943]

I'm speechless.

4 years ago I had an operation in the Ram Hospital in Khon Kaen. Unlike in Europe there were only slight preparations prior to the operation. I undressed myself in a room which appeared next to the operation room... The whole situation looked not sterile to me, but since this was my first time in Thailand I still had trust in the Thai medical professionals. Now after I live here and saw a few dozens of hospitals inside, I know that almost nothing is at the same standard of cleanness and sterile as in Europe (and I presume the other western countries).

Once I saw a big rat walking inside a well known hospital in Bangkok. I told a staff member about this rat, but there was only a smile and this was not because this person didn't understand what I said, buther rather because they knew about it and presumed a rat could not being stopped coming inside a hospital. So nothing to do...

This isn't a matter of being rich or poor. It a matter of mindset. You only have to talk to a few Thai doctors and you know that they are not really listening to the patient. Most of them are only interested in their income, not in you as a patient.

[Thai at Heart]

Well at least patients know it wasn't Srinakarindra that caused the problem. Will find out where this happened as the wife has relatives who are nurses in Ram Khon Kaen.

I cannot believe that the hospital in question is able to keep it's name out of the press.

[mca]

It's Khon Kaen Central hospital on Sri Chant road.

[KKvampire]

And prescribe you loads of pills that are useless but doctors get money for selling to patients.

Edited January 5, 2010 by KKvampire

[zaza]

what kind of bacteria was diagnosed?

I would appreciate any collaboration in clarifying this question.

Edited January 5, 2010 by zaza

[mca]

The hospital's committee on the control and prevention of infectious diseases reported that the infections had been caused by the Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria

[animatic]

100,000 baht, in pocket,

but your eyes are removed because of negligence.

Justice in all it's glaring inequity here.

Some lawyer will work this case for 5 years,

and if some relatives are media savy, enough face will be lost

to eventually to ensure a bigger pay out happens.

But on the face of it this is truly pathetic.

[zaza]

The hospital's committee on the control and prevention of infectious diseases reported that the infections had been caused by the Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria

I didn't spot that, I didn't have my coffee yet.

[bushwacker]

Hmmm.... and how does this line up with their claim of being up to world class standards and having tourists flocking to thailand for medical procedures ....

I feel pity for the people that have lost their sight .... i cannot imagine the shock of looking forward (no pun intended) to a live with no sight .... it must be crushing

[Thai at Heart]

Hmmm.... and how does this line up with their claim of being up to world class standards and having tourists flocking to thailand for medical procedures ....

I feel pity for the people that have lost their sight .... i cannot imagine the shock of looking forward (no pun intended) to a live with no sight .... it must be crushing

If you saw this hospital, whilst usually adequate, I wouldn't include it on the list of places for medical tourism.

I know of a friend who got a nasty post operative infection (not impossible to obtain anywhere in the world I know) there also. It is a pretty old facility and every time I have ever been in it to visit people I have always had the feeling that it is overcrowded and that it definitely doesn't have the odour of a hospital.

Pretty much like any provincial government hospital in Thailand.

[geriatrickid]

Let's put this in perspective; It is an unfortunate common occurrence in all hospitals to have such infections when sterilization protocols are not followed. In the west we see outbreaks of c. difficile in hospitals with subsequent mortality. Every month hospitals throughout the world report in house infections. I can recall one surgery theater complex at the Royal Victoria hospital in Canada being closed for months due to mold in the ventilation system, the Walter Reed army hospital(I believe) in the USA having performed colonoscopies without following proper procedures and then having to test hundreds for Hepatitis C infections and the hospital in Paris that had unsterilized surgical instruments. I am not downplaying this, but this tragedy is a common occurrence.

What I fail to understand is how it was Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It's opportunistic for sure, but subsequent to cataract surgery, I dunno. You see it in immunosupressed patients, like cancer and AIDS patients. True, the steroid eyedrops you take after the surgery dn't help, but I have a hunch the antibiotic eyedrops taken after the surgery will have a role in this.I am willing to bet, the drugs used after surgery were not up to snuff. A proper treatment following surgery should have prevented this. The physician that examined the eye at surgery + 24hr should have seen the telltale signs of the infection and it would have been evident at surgery +72hours. There is info not being stated in this case.

On the positive side at least the hospital owned up to responsibility, which is not the usual situation. This was a preventable tragedy and for those that continue to harp on how much better hospitals in Thailand are compared to the west, let this be a warning. More importantly, I'd like to see an expat deal with the small compensation package. In the meantime, my heart goes out to the injured. It's times like this you just want to clock the doctor(s) that were responsible.

[craigt3365]

Very sad for the patients. I am sure they are poor folk and this won't help their situation. Very, very sad. The compensation is horrible. Should be at least 1MM Baht each. At least then they could have their family take care of them for the rest of their, sightless, lives.

[Asa]

The bacteria is a die harder, it can resists antibiotics per Wiki. Though it can be found everywhere, but inside the OR and into the victims' eyes? It's just too many cases to be an accident.

Specific duration of two days and patient group indicates certain case environment. They should already know the cause.

Would the victims of ignorance accept a small sum of money, and arty eye balls to settle loss of eyes (sight) for good?

[steffi]

Is this the university hospital that you see patients coming outside to buy and eat their meals or is it the one on the main road where you see people sitting down outside on the sidewalk?

[moe666]

A republican heaven with the piddling amount of compensation.

[Longtooth]

I fly to Bangkok in 3 hours for cataract surgery on my left eye. I have had the right done already at Rutnin Eye Hospital. I can't imagine a better hospital exists even in the US. Double the money it would have cost up here in the north, but I think in this case you get what you pay for. Lovely. Clean, new, well structured pre and post op procedures, drugs etc. well labeled, clear instructions, well pleased. 29 doctors-- only eyes. No pain. Great sight. It's on the web, of course. Making the appointment is the hardest part.

[animatic]

I fly to Bangkok in 3 hours for cataract surgery on my left eye. I have had the right done already at Rutnin Eye Hospital. I can't imagine a better hospital exists even in the US. Double the money it would have cost up here in the north, but I think in this case you get what you pay for. Lovely. Clean, new, well structured pre and post op procedures, drugs etc. well labeled, clear instructions, well pleased. 29 doctors-- only eyes. No pain. Great sight. It's on the web, of course. Making the appointment is the hardest part.

Longtooth, there certainly are good hospitals here, just not all of them.

Rutnin has a good rep.

In any case good luck with the surgery and recovery too.

[EyesWideOpen]

I had the exact same thing happen to me. I had a cataract operation by a very well known eye doctor in Los Angeles, at their special eye clinic. Operation went fine, and I could see perfectly. Three days later, it felt exactly like someone was pushing a red hot poker into my eye, and I could no longer see. Had an emergency appointment to see the original doctor, who had a terrified look on his face as soon as he examined my eye. He immediately sent me to see his fellow doctor, who is one of the top retina doctors in America. He gave me shot of antibotics directly into the eye which had me throwing up from pain. I used to think a needle in the eye was a figure of speech...... :-)

That did not stop the infection, and I had an emergency surgery the following morning which barely was able to save my eye. All the gel is taken out of the eye, and replaced with saline solution. It turned out to be a staph infection, which occured in the operating room with the cataract operation.

A retina specialist was needed to save my eyesight. These poor Thais had no chance at all for a surgical solution to their problem. I remember at the time I was not very happy about the possibility of losing the sight in one eye.........

[Tonto21]

I have been thinking of lens replacement, Have been wearing glass's for about 3 years now.... still can't get on with them, drives me mad!

May now, having read this just learn to live with them,

Hope these poor people manage to come to terms with the loss of sight. Don't know if I could.

[Junglejumbo]

This is very bad. I think foreigners should get to know the risks of coming here for treatment, and that compensation might not even cover their air flights.

Another reason why the red shirts need to fight on for equality.

Khon Kaen hospital is the one going straight on past city hall. Some of the nurses from their hang out at Kiwi Cafe as one of the owners also works there.

Thais although good at wearing clean cloths and taking showers have very poor standards of hygiene when it comes to clearning things, especially food. And yes, the rat thing always gets lots of smiles and laughs when they're seen in restaurants, schools or hospitals to the shock of foriegners.

[thaicbr]

Another reason why the red shirts need to fight on for equality.

Your having a laugh. The red shirts are controlled by the guy that doesn't give a toss about the normal people unless he's making something from it, along with the vast majority of MP's in this country. Not many really want equality

[mca]

Khon Kaen hospital is the one going straight on past city hall.

You've lost me JJ!