Ca Mau Maternity and Pediatrics Hospital informs about the "overcharging" of ambulance fees

SGGPO 08/15/2023 16:44

On August 15, Dr. Truong Minh Kien, Deputy Director of Ca Mau Maternity and Pediatrics Hospital, said that he had reported to the Ca Mau Provincial Department of Health about the "overcharging" of ambulance fees.

Ca Mau Maternity and Pediatrics Hospital

Accordingly, at 7:30 a.m. on August 4, the son of Ms. D.TNH (34 years old) and Mr. TMG (35 years old, residing in Hamlet 2, Tan Thanh Ward, Ca Mau City) was admitted to the Neonatal Department of Ca Mau Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital in a state of cyanosis, severe chest retraction, and was intubated and put on a ventilator. Diagnosed with severe respiratory failure, hyaline membrane disease, and premature birth.

The hospital doctors administered mechanical ventilation, total intravenous nutrition, surfactant, antibiotics, and symptomatic treatment. The pediatric resident consultation agreed with the above diagnosis and explained the serious condition to the baby's father due to the gestational age of 23 weeks (birth weight 600 grams), making it difficult to save the baby and the prognosis for death.

The on-duty team actively resuscitated and warmed the baby, dried him, suctioned his mucus, and ventilated him with positive pressure. After resuscitation, the baby was pink, groaning and had sunken in breathing.

During the treatment from 7:30 a.m. on August 4 to 7:00 a.m. on August 5, the child's condition gradually worsened. The doctor on duty explained the patient's serious condition and the prognosis for death. The family agreed to sign the minutes and had no further comments or requests for explanation.

At 9:00 a.m. on August 5, the child's father asked to be transferred to Children's Hospital 1 as requested. Considering the child's condition was too severe, transferring would not be safe because the possibility of death on the way to the hospital was very high (the child was on a ventilator, continuously receiving vasopressor Adrenaline, and continuously receiving insulin to control blood sugar).

The doctor on duty explained but the family insisted on transferring the baby to Children's Hospital 1 by their own means, only requesting a transfer paper as requested. The doctor on duty completed the transfer procedures as requested by the family. At 3:00 p.m. on August 5, the baby was transferred to Children's Hospital 1.

Regarding the information that the baby's father was introduced by a hospital doctor to the phone number of a woman who dispatched an ambulance from Ho Chi Minh City to Ca Mau to transfer him to another hospital, Dr. Truong Minh Kien confirmed: This is not true. Through verification, all the staff of the neonatal department did not advise the transfer and did not contact or give the phone number of the ambulance transferring the hospital from outside.

Doctor Truong Minh Kien also informed: At 9:00 a.m. on August 5, the family raised the issue of transferring the patient to another hospital, but the on-duty team did not agree and explained the patient's condition to the family. After that, the on-duty doctor received a phone call from a doctor (not an employee of Ca Mau Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital) saying: This is a family member and has contacted a doctor in the neonatal resuscitation department of Children's Hospital 1 himself, agreeing to treat the child. After that, this doctor instructed the patient's family to contact the 115 hospital transfer service themselves to transfer the child to Children's Hospital 1.

“The hospital has long had a rule that strictly prohibits staff from contacting outside ambulance services to transport patients to higher levels. If staff are found to be in violation, they will be disciplined according to regulations,” added Dr. Truong Minh Kien.

According to Dr. Truong Minh Kien, the hospital currently does not have a contract for hospital transfer services with any private unit. Currently, Ca Mau Maternity and Pediatrics Hospital has 3 drivers for hospital transfer vehicles. During the treatment process, if a patient needs to be transferred, the hospital will carry out the transfer procedures according to regulations. If the hospital runs out of vehicles, contact Ca Mau General Hospital for support.

Depending on the time (due to fluctuating gasoline prices), a transfer with full medical staff and emergency equipment from Ca Mau to Ho Chi Minh City costs about 6-8 million VND. In case the patient's family is in difficult circumstances, please contact the social work department. Depending on the case, the Board of Directors can arrange a free transfer.

Before that, Mr. G. wanted to take his child to Children's Hospital 1 for treatment and was given the ambulance contact number by a doctor (not working at Ca Mau Maternity and Pediatrics Hospital). A woman named H. quoted 16 million VND for a trip to take the child from Ca Mau to Children's Hospital 1 (the contract was recorded at the City Children's Hospital) and required a 50% deposit before the vehicle could be dispatched. When the vehicle arrived at the hospital, he had to pay the remaining 50%. His family was poor and Mr. G. worked as a worker, so he had to borrow money from relatives to have enough money to rent the vehicle.

On the evening of August 5, Mr. G. and his son were taken by ambulance to Children's Hospital 1. Due to the serious condition, the child passed away on August 8. Having run out of money to buy a coffin, Mr. G. planned to put his son in a styrofoam box and take him on a bus to Ca Mau. Upon learning of the incident, the Social Work Department of Children's Hospital 1 supported and helped Mr. G. bring his son's body back to Ca Mau.

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