On February 17th, the Department of Health of Dong Thap province organized a dialogue between the patient's family and the leadership of Dong Thap General Hospital, following public complaints about security guards making it difficult to use the elevator and the on-duty doctor being "uncaring," causing public outrage.
Mr. Nguyen Hoang Viet - Deputy Director of Dong Thap General Hospital - accepted responsibility for the on-duty doctor's failure to communicate harmoniously with the patient's relatives, leading to widespread outrage on social media. - Photo: DANG TUYET
Frustrated by the fixed operating hours of the hospital elevator.
According to information from Dong Thap General Hospital, on the morning of January 18th, the general emergency department received Mrs. NTT (72 years old, residing in Tan Thuan Tay commune, Cao La Vinh city, Dong Thap province). After undergoing clinical tests by doctors in the emergency department, the patient was transferred to the general internal medicine department for further treatment.
Further tests such as blood biochemistry and electrolyte analysis were then performed, leading to a diagnosis of drug-induced gastritis and Cushing's syndrome.
While caring for Mrs. T., Mr. Nguyen Van Nhiep and Mr. Nguyen Huu Nghia went up and down the elevator to buy milk, but were obstructed by hospital security, who claimed they were outside the permitted elevator usage hours.
Mr. Nghia and Mr. Nhiep used their social media accounts to post a video clip, over 2 minutes long, reflecting on January 24th, where they were harassed by hospital security guards who acted rigidly and made things difficult for their caregivers.
By January 25th, Mrs. T.'s condition had worsened. Mr. Nhiep met with the on-duty doctor to inquire about the situation and request additional tests not covered by health insurance in order to improve Mrs. T.'s condition.
During the consultation, the on-duty doctor did not accept Mr. Nhiep's requests, but failed to explain the reasons clearly and displayed an inappropriate attitude, causing distress to the family.
Later, Mr. Nhiep requested a transfer to another hospital, but this was also denied, as it was not an emergency case. As a result, Mr. Nhiep requested to take the patient home, and Mrs. T. passed away shortly afterward.
Mr. Nguyen Hoang Viet - a representative of the hospital - explains and discusses with Mr. Nguyen Huu Nghia (in the red shirt) and Mr. Nguyen Van Nhiep (sitting third from the left) - Photo: DANG TUYET
Mr. Nguyen Hoang Viet, deputy director of Dong Thap General Hospital, said that on January 24th, recognizing that the regulations on elevator use were inconvenient for caregivers entering and exiting wards unexpectedly, the hospital leadership issued a document to all departments to create the most favorable conditions for patients and their relatives to enter and exit wards unexpectedly by issuing "unexpected ward access cards" to caregivers to leave wards outside of fixed opening hours.
"The doctor followed the correct treatment protocol and monitored the patient's progress. However, due to a lack of consensus in communication between the on-duty doctor and the patient's family, the responsibility lies with the on-duty doctor at the hospital," Mr. Viet said.
Mr. Doan Tan Buu - Director of the Department of Health of Dong Thap province - reviews the test results of patient T. while explaining the progress of treatment monitored by doctors at Dong Thap General Hospital - Photo: DANG TUYET
The doctor lacked a considerate explanation.
Mr. Doan Tan Buu, Director of the Department of Health of Dong Thap province, said that after reviewing the records, the patient had many underlying diseases, affected by the side effects of medication, resulting in adrenal insufficiency, gastroesophageal reflux, and many chronic internal diseases.
"Regarding the electrolyte test (which is also a blood test to check for electrolyte deficiencies in the blood), the hospital has performed it three times. In addition, all tests related to blood cells, biochemistry, X-rays, ultrasound, and electrocardiogram have been done."
"Doctors relying on tests to monitor patients is also in accordance with regulations. There is no question of saving on testing costs at the expense of patients," Mr. Buu said.
However, according to Mr. Buu, it is understandable that the patient's family requests multiple tests; there is nothing wrong with the mindset that even if it costs money, it's acceptable.
However, the doctor's perspective must be exemplary; a doctor's prescription recorded in the patient's medical record must be correct, accountable, and consistent with the progress of treatment. The doctor must have considered all factors, not make a mistake.
The responsibility here lies with the doctor for failing to provide a compassionate and detailed explanation to the patient's family while he was somewhat agitated.
Doctors are required to provide health education and counseling so that each family member can cooperate in caring for the patient, understand the patient's condition, and explain it to their relatives.
"I offer my apologies to the family, represented by Mr. Nhiep and Mr. Nghia, for the unfortunate incident. We haven't forgotten our responsibilities as medical professionals, but a misunderstanding during the communication process led to this misunderstanding and resentment," Mr. Buu said.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/chan-chinh-bac-si-thieu-an-can-voi-benh-nhan-20250217142404557.htm
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