ST Forum: Father-In-Law's Death:Handle Patients Better

[Vulcann]

From ST Forum:

 

http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/forum-...better-20121120

 

Father-in-law's death: Handle patients better

Published on Nov 20, 2012

 

AT ABOUT 5am on Oct 26, my husband and I accompanied my father-in-law, who had fallen and hurt his forehead and mouth, to the Singapore General Hospital's accident and emergency department, where he was placed in an observation ward.

 

We waited until 7am and when no one updated us on his condition, we sought permission to see him.

 

When we did, his right eye had become swollen. We were told that the staff would be stitching up his forehead wound to stop the bleeding, and admission would be done when a bed became available.

 

At around 11.50am, he was admitted. Up to then, nothing had been done for him except the placement of a drip and stitching of his forehead wound.

 

The nurses told us that they had arranged a CT scan for him the next day, as Oct 26 was a public holiday and the relevant staff were not working.

 

The next day, after the scan was done, the neurologists informed us there were multiple injuries to my father-in-law's skull, and bleeding within.

 

We were told that he would be in a coma within 24 hours.

 

Due to his age and sickness, no surgery was suggested.

 

My father-in-law died on Oct 29.

 

There is much room for improvement in how patients are handled.

 

Is it the norm for CT scan departments to be closed on public holidays?

 

Could my father-in-law's death been prevented if the scan had been done on the same day, and corrective action taken to stop the bleeding?

 

Adeline Lim (Madam)

[Vulcann]

The response.

 

From ST Forum:

 

http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/forum-...ppened-20121120

 

SGH explains what happened

Published on Nov 20, 2012

 

WE EXTEND our deepest condolences to Madam Adeline Lim and her family, and are already in touch with them to address their concerns.

 

When the patient was seen and treated at our Emergency Department, he was conscious and alert.

 

He was discovered to have a very low serum sodium level and arrangements were made for admission for further investigation and treatment.

 

As his condition was initially stable, our doctor scheduled a CT scan for the following day.

 

CT scans are available at Singapore General Hospital around the clock, including Sundays and public holidays.

 

However, the patient became progressively drowsy when he was in the ward and the CT scan was brought forward.

 

When the CT scan showed intracranial bleeding, our doctors discussed the risks of surgery with his family and the decision was not to proceed with surgery, in view of his medical history and risk factors.

 

We are very sorry that the condition of Madam Lim's father-in-law subsequently deteriorated and he passed away.

 

Professor Fong Kok Yong

 

Chairman, Medical Board

 

Singapore General Hospital

[Vulcann]

The nurses told us that they had arranged a CT scan for him the next day, as Oct 26 was a public holiday and the relevant staff were not working.

So either the nurse was misquoted or Madam Lim heard wrongly but SGH did not address this.

Edited November 19, 2012 by Vulcann

[Simon29]

If one is willing to pay, it can be done round the clock.

Sad that the system is flawed in the medical field lately.

[Carnoob]

Quote "As his condition was initially stable, our doctor scheduled a CT scan for the following day." I think SGH had addressed the scheduling of the CT scan.

 

I think it is the responsibility of the family to question the hospital on the spot rather than after the incident. My mom (when she's still alive) was first warded when she was bleeding profusely and I questioned the doctor rather than the nurses.

 

For one, some nurses just follow the instructions written on the patient's log. Others may take the easy way out by using Sun/ PH as an excuse rather than calling the doctor to confirm his/her directions.

 

And I insisted to meet with the doctor who had seen her and questioned him/her directly. Sometimes the nurses will say the doctor had gone after their rounds... but ask them to page for them. It is your family's life.

[Gee]

true we got to do our part although i doubt everyone is aware (i.e insisting update) when they are in such situation,

but imho the irony is in the system itself to begin with,

even the policy maker recommend healthcare across the straits instead of improving local condition. cmiiw.

 

haizz..

[Rncw]

the same thing happened to my father as well in 2003...he went to check in to NUH, alive....then dunno what reason, they didn't do any scan, and later he slipped into coma and doctor said cannot do anything....he had SAH too.....

 

in 1999 before my SAH in tokyo, i had an attack in singapore, and the ambulance sent me to AH, put in observation ward, and only gave me pain killers...luck still alive....after my tokyo incident, doctor told me they found out i had an attack couple of months ago......lucky i was in tokyo when the major thing came...if not i won't be posting this and you all won't see my two lovely bouncing neh neh poks....

[Limitedspeed]

Somebody is not telling the truth. The affected family should not stop there based on the reply from the hospital. They should pursue this matter further like perhaps calling for MOH to fulfill an inquiry into this matter :angry:

[EricTeh]

it may be because they were under staff

[Mcf777]

machine working 24hrs.

But no staff during public holidays.

[Watwheels]

Must be the poor management. The staff working there are of the same race going for the same holiday?

[Scion]

same thing happened to my family

 

i dunno why but i felt that the hospital (not mentioning the name) did not do its utmost, because my loved family member passed away rather suddenly

 

i was angry but i did not raise the matter... but after that i read in the newspapers that several such incidents happened and people have been complaining about it

 

somehow i feel singapore hospitals are now so commercially operated that profit margins rank higher than saving life?

[Gee]

machine working 24hrs.

But no staff during public holidays.

 

if staff is in town, even if off or holiday, they should be contactable and could be called upon.

of course it will reflect extra on the charges.

[Vid]

if staff is in town, even if off or holiday, they should be contactable and could be called upon.

of course it will reflect extra on the charges.

 

Why should a patient be charged extra just because the staff had to come back to work? It is the hospital's responsibility to ensure someone is there to handle the equipment, not the patient.

[Karu]

My observation is that all public / govt linked hospital treat patients the same way. Each patients is just another case they handle & they all are bounded by protocols & procedures which are followed without flexibility. Unless you are someone important.

 

Not sure about pte hospitals though. Suppose if you can afford to pay, you'll get more attention?

[Gee]

Why should a patient be charged extra just because the staff had to come back to work? It is the hospital's responsibility to ensure someone is there to handle the equipment, not the patient.

 

it is how it is.

maybe it is not considered as a 24hrs shift work (such as nurse perhaps)?

personally i am not sure why.

[Chucky2007]

The A&E ward at private hospital is less crowded. If real emergency,I think immediate attention will be rendered faster compared to govt or restructured hospital

[Chucky2007]

That makes a lot of diff in life n death situation. I always opt for private, but its costlier so always self insure sufficiently