Thailand Hospital News: Gauze Gaffe at Thammasat University Hospital - A Case of Medical Negligence
James Josh Fact checked by:TMN Jun 19, 2024 6 months, 3 days, 21 hours, 6 minutes ago
Thailand Hospital News: Thammasat University Hospital in Pathum Thani province, near Bangkok, recently faced a serious medical oversight that has sparked public outrage and raised questions about hospital protocols. The incident involved a piece of gauze being left in a patient's vaginal cavity after a cancer treatment procedure. This
Thailand Hospital News report explores the details of the incident, the hospital's response, and the subsequent actions taken by the patient's family to seek justice.
The Gauze That Was Left Behind Photo Credit: Facebook/kwanchai.jitbunjong
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=122183577350037269&set=a.122145041432037269&locale=hi_IN
For readers to aware, the hospitals website and its list of doctors, many who also freelance at various other private hospitals can be found here:
https://www.hospital.tu.ac.th/
The Incident: An Unintended Oversight
The incident occurred on June 4 when a patient who was diagnosed with endometrial cancer underwent radiotherapy and brachytherapy at Thammasat University Hospital. During the procedure, the medical team inserted a brachytherapy device and a gauze roll to ensure the device remained in the correct position and to minimize radiation exposure to surrounding organs.
Unfortunately, the gauze was not properly removed, leading to a severe infection in the patient.
Patient's Critical Condition
The patient, a mother whose son Kwanchai has been vocal about the incident, developed a high fever and deteriorated rapidly after the procedure.
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=902130855276997&set=a.648490497307702&locale=hi_IN
Despite being entitled to free treatment, the hospital initially refused to treat her without payment. This prompted Kwanchai to transfer his mother to a private hospital where her critical condition was further assessed. However, due to her deteriorating health, she was advised to return to Thammasat University Hospital.
Discovery and Response
On June 14, the patient experienced severe stomach pain and unexpectedly coughed out a piece of gauze from her vaginal cavity. This alarming discovery led her family to rush her back to the hospital. Kwanchai criticized Thammasat University Hospital for initially denying his mother the necessary treatment and only taking action after media pressure was applied.
Hospital's Apology and Commitment to Change
Thammasat University Hospital has since issued an apology, acknowledging the error and pledgin
g to take full responsibility. The hospital explained that the incident occurred due to a failure to properly check the length of the gauze after the procedure. To prevent future occurrences, the hospital has implemented several measures including:
-Strict adherence to operational standards.
-Recording all equipment before and after procedures.
-Performing repeat internal examinations to check for remnants.
-Implementing a double-check system by another staff member before concluding procedures.
Additionally, the hospital is considering the use of special radiopaque strips that can be detected via X-ray in case of incomplete gauze lengths.
Family's Pursuit of Justice
Kwanchai, the patient's son, has been actively seeking justice for his mother. He criticized the hospital for its negligence and for waiting until media pressure forced them to act. Highlighting that Thammasat University Hospital serves as both a medical facility and a training institution, Kwanchai pointed out that the doctor responsible for the oversight is a professor at the hospital.
In his efforts to seek accountability, Kwanchai has demanded that the hospital and relevant authorities take full responsibility for the incident. Despite the hospital's apology, Kwanchai reported that neither the doctor nor the hospital staff had personally apologized to him or his mother, further fueling his disappointment and mistrust.
Hospital's Commitment to Patient Safety
In light of the incident, Thammasat University Hospital has reiterated its commitment to patient safety. The hospital emphasized that they have provided comprehensive information to the patient and her family regarding the incident and are dedicated to ensuring her recovery and well-being. The newly implemented measures are aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future and restoring public trust in the hospital's operations.
Conclusion
The gauze gaffe at Thammasat University Hospital has highlighted significant lapses in medical procedures and hospital protocols. While the hospital has taken steps to address the issue and prevent future occurrences, the patient's family continues to seek justice and accountability. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of stringent medical protocols and the need for transparency and accountability in healthcare settings. As Thammasat University Hospital works to regain public trust, it remains crucial for medical institutions to prioritize patient safety and ensure rigorous checks are in place to prevent such oversights.
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Thailand Hospital News coverages, keep on logging to Thailand Medical News.
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https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/thailand-medical-public-reminded-that-the-national-health-security-office-has-terminated-contracts-with-nine-private-hospitals-due-to-possible-fraud
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