Transferred to police for investigation of case of broken machine for 2 years but still has records of lithotripsy for nearly 500 patients

The leader of Dak Lak Department of Health affirmed that the fact that the lithotripsy machine had been broken for nearly 2 years but the hospital still performed surgery and made settlement records was a major violation, and the case has been transferred to the police.

Ms. Le Ka Thuy - Deputy Director of the Central Highlands General Hospital (standing) - brief information at the press conference - Photo: TRUNG TAN

On the morning of September 18, Mr. Nay Phi La - Director of Dak Lak Department of Health - chaired a press conference to provide information related to 480 cases of lithotripsy at the Central Highlands General Hospital with errors in the records.

The machine has been broken for 2 years but there are still hundreds of lithotripsy cases.

According to Mr. Nay Phi La, the hospital’s laser lithotripsy machine has been broken since November 2023. During this time, the hospital borrowed a machine from another unit to continue performing surgery on patients.

However, when preparing settlement records, many cases were still recorded using laser technology on old machine systems.

"This is an error in professional procedures, showing signs of violation. The Department has asked the hospital to review and handle related staff, and coordinate with the police to clarify whether or not there was insurance fraud or collusion in providing services," said Mr. La.

The Central Highlands General Hospital processed payment documents for lithotripsy services for 480 people when the machine had been broken for 2 years - Photo: MINH PHUONG

According to the Director of the Department of Health, on July 17, 2025, the Department proactively set up an inspection team to review all activities at the Department of Nephrology and Urology. The quick report of the team on July 22 showed many shortcomings in the payment of toxic allowances that were not in accordance with regulations, loose management of equipment and supplies, and discrepancies between the quantity supplied and actual use.

Mr. Nguyen Dang Giap, Director of the Central Highlands General Hospital, admitted that there was incorrect service coding and lax supervision - Photo: TRUNG TAN

Notably, about 480 laser lithotripsy cases took place while the machine was broken, while the hospital had not yet publicly announced its on-call and surgical schedules. "This is to proactively detect violations, to promptly prevent and avoid greater consequences for patients and the hospital," said Mr. Nay Phi La.

He added that based on the inspection results, on August 6, the hospital's board of directors was invited to explain. The leaders admitted to errors in payment records, equipment management, and the difference in JJ probes. On September 8, the hospital continued to report, confirming that the laser machine had broken down many times in 2024 but still provided endoscopic lithotripsy services.

Violations occurred in the hospital's nephrology and urology department - Photo: MINH PHUONG

According to the report, Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Hoang - Head of the Department of Nephrology and Urology, the records still recorded the laser technique for payment even though the machine was broken, leading to a difference in materials. Dr. Bui Ngoc Duc - Head of the Department of Surgery and Anesthesia and Resuscitation - said that his department only scheduled surgeries, assigned anesthesia teams, and did not participate in professional consultations.

Meanwhile, Director of the Central Highlands General Hospital Nguyen Dang Giap admitted that there was an incorrect application of service codes and lax supervision. The hospital affirmed that the doctors involved were irresponsible and dishonest and clarified the extent of the violations.

Mr. Nay Phi La affirmed that this is a violation of professional procedures, timely detection and handling is necessary to ensure patient rights and transparency in medical examination and treatment management.

Transfer the violation file to the provincial police

Mr. Nay Phi La - Director of Dak Lak Department of Health - confirmed that there were violations in the case of a broken machine for nearly 2 years but still paying for kidney stone crushing services - Photo: TRUNG TAN

At the press conference, Deputy Director of the hospital Le Ka Thuy said that the hospital has implemented internal discipline, reviewed all records and corrected procedures.

On September 8, the hospital reported that the JJ probe was missing, the laser machine was broken many times in 2024, but the lithotripsy service still occurred. The professional council concluded that the surgical and anesthesia team was dishonest, performing the technique incorrectly; the main responsibility belonged to the head of the Department of Nephrology and Urology and the head of the Department of Surgery and Anesthesia and Resuscitation, and the members of the involved team must also be held responsible.

According to hospital director Nguyen Dang Giap, the 255 patients who were determined not to have used the lithotripsy service but were still billed were mistakes by the doctors and the hospital. "The price difference is very small, but the hospital will check, handle and coordinate with the police to clarify. We will also examine these 255 patients (out of a total of 480 patients) for free to ensure their rights," said Mr. Giap.

The lithotripsy machine in the hospital's anesthesia surgery department and the borrowed machine have also been "covered" but hundreds of patients still had surgery and had to pay for it - Photo: MINH PHUONG

Regarding the fact that 255/480 patients did not have their stones crushed but still paid for the service, and whether or not the kidney stones were still in their bodies, the hospital director said that a health check-up would be needed to have accurate information.

Director of Dak Lak Department of Health Nay Phi La emphasized: "The provincial health sector has promptly detected and handled the errors, and closely coordinated with Dak Lak Provincial Police to clarify all aspects. We do not cover up any violations and will provide full records and documents to the investigation agency. When we have more information, we will provide it fully to the press and public opinion."

Discipline the individuals involved

Regarding violations at the Department of Nephrology and Urology, the Board of Directors of the Central Highlands General Hospital decided to discipline Ms. Tran Thi Kim Oanh, head nurse of the department (reprimand); Mr. Le Xuan Vinh, deputy head of the department (reprimand); Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Hoang, head of the department (warning) and Mr. Bui Ngoc Duc, head of the Department of Surgery and Anesthesia and Resuscitation (reprimand).

CENTER

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/chuyen-cong-an-dieu-tra-vu-may-hu-2-nam-van-co-ho-so-tan-soi-cho-gan-500-benh-nhan-20250918115637236.htm