Mukdahan: A heartbreaking incident unfolded in Mukdahan province when a father, taken to the hospital for severe abdominal pain, passed away after waiting three hours for medical attention.
According to Thai News Agency, the director of Mukdahan Hospital, Dr. Napaporn Kiatdamrong, acknowledged the delay in treatment. Upon arrival, the patient was classified as a Level 2 emergency, requiring reassessment every 30 minutes. However, the follow-up was conducted every hour instead. The delay was attributed to simultaneous critical cases, including a cobra bite and a cardiac arrest due to sepsis, which required immediate attention from the medical staff.
The director emphasized that this explanation is not an excuse, and they admitted that the process did not adhere to established guidelines. The patient was later diagnosed with a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm, a life-threatening condition. Despite the efforts of a vascular specialist and a CT scan, the patient's condition deteriorated, resulting in death.
The hospital plans to review this case to enhance its patient care system, focusing on continuous monitoring and safety. They aim to use the lessons learned to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Although the family believes an earlier diagnosis might have improved survival chances, a thorough review of medical records and expert diagnoses is necessary to ensure clarity and fairness.