Son of KKH drug error victim described pharmacists as "idiots" on his blog

[temasekreview]

Mr Ng Chun Kiat, son of KKH medication error victim Madam Ng L.K lambasted the two pharmacists responsible for the mistake as being “idiots” on his blog, started a few days ago to create “public awareness” for the incident!

Mr Ng took issue with the fact that the two pharmacists had yet to aplogize to his mother in person:

“To date, not a single one of the two idiots has personally apologize to my mum. En-route to hospital with my dad, I was told that the culprits, however, did visit Mdm Ng Poh Hung(the other victim) and apologize for the blunder. Two cases of overdosage (drug that was supposed to be administered over 3-4 days was induced within 3-4 hours), two different type of drugs (Mdm Ng’s drug was much more potent, as explained)”, he wrote.

Mrs Ng was given an overdose of the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin over a few hours instead of days. The pharmacists had used the wrong infusion pump to deliver the toxic medicine.

Upon discovery of the error by the family, the pharmacist told them that Mrs Ng’s drug was “not as potent” as Madam Poh’s and it was “OK” for her to go home.

It was only during the inquiry conducted 5 days later that Mr Ng was told by the hospital that pharmacists have no right to send patients home. The decision has to be made by a medical doctor.

Mr Ng was visibly peeved at the apparent cavalier attitude that the hospital staff had taken towards his mother:

“One thing I couldn’t stand is that over the past week, the words “serious” and “it’s ok” have been used loosely!!!

She told us it’s ok and that the side effects will be similar to undergoing the treatment over 3 days. I’m like “Hello, this is a negligence by the hospital, right? No way am I going to accept that a drug that was suppose to be taken over 3 days is the same as taking it over 3 hours!”

Read rest of article here:

http://www.temasekreview.com/2009/1...-pharmacists-responsible-for-error-as-idiots/

 

[cooleo]

>>Upon discovery of the error by the family, the pharmacist told them that Mrs Ng’s drug was “not as potent” as Madam Poh’s and it was “OK” for her to go home.<<

Is the pharmacist a FTrash ?

 

[allanlee]

The KKH drug blunder would have gone unnoticed had not Mr Ng’s aunt contacted her friend in the Straits Times who in turn requested an interview with KKH authorities.

Even then, the state media has gone on a PR overdrive to exonerate the hospital from blame and to play down the severity of the mistake.

Of course cannot anyhow admit guilt lah........ must go all out to protect their own kind....... the CEO of KKH is the wife of one of the MIW Mini-Star !

 

[holyman]

nurses are the ones usually running infusion pumps in the ward...only nurses know how to set an infusion pump correctly (yes not even Drs or pharmacists know how to, in theory only they know how to) because we do it almost everyday, therefore even if a mistake is made by a nurse, it would be err more on the conservative side, that is administering less instead of more...

What could have happen here is that due to the fatality of the drug, KKH could have requested for more qualified personnel (in this case the pharmacists as they are the ones whith the most knowledge of the drug) to run the drug, and also nurses were omitted frm this work process as management feels they could be tired as most either are still working 6 days a week or most have to switch from afternoon duty to morning duty hence they could be too tired for such a responsibility.

This is just like asking MIWs to stay in HDB flat, it dosent make sense because nurses have the practical skills to run the pump whereas the pharmacists have the theory of the mechanics of the drug, so why are both parties not working together??

Technically now Ng's family cannot sue for anything as his mother has not suffered any loss yet (KKH is unsympathetic, but what they are doing is not legally wrong). But we see here what kind of society we have become.

Once again, from a nurse, staying in a hospital in Singapore nowadays, regardless of which one (been to all, worked in most as a student or part time) is a huge risk because at the nurses level, they are overworked (most still doing 6 day week, need to change from afternoon to morning), they cannot get along with each other due to personal differences or language barrier (e.g. the china ones are always at odds with the indian and philipino ones, the indian ones mostly are con jobs, and the philipino ones, though good in skills, are aloof, lazy and like to click to their own kind, also if all the same kind on same shift, all will be speaking tagalog), the Drs, regardless whether they are foreigners or locals, need translators (nuff said about he risk here)...

I would suggest those who need to stay in hospitals either (1.) hire a part time nurse to go take care of you or your family members if you have no medical knowledge, this way the Drs and nurses attending will not dare to attempt to con their way through, (2.) be adamant and insist on being served by a local, lest anything be lost in translation (3.) i can honestly say if one has a terminal illness, go commit a crime and stay in changi prison for free treatment and better patient to nurse load...

Lastly, I heard the 2 pharmacists are locals and they are seniors...anyone to confirm...

 

[batman1]

The main problem in singapore is that for a very very very long time the Majority of the singaporeans do not understand the meaning of or do not believe in accountability,transparency and liability until something hits you directly,your family members or your pocket.Period. U need alot of money to have justice in the singapore courts !!!!!

 

[cockie]

As most of the elder ppls would say; In Singapore, you can die but dont fall sick.

 

[scroobal]

This guy must have created such a scene that they knew that it was going to court. He is going to waste his money and time. If it was that serious, the hospital would not behave in this manner.

All an expert has to testify is that no or little damage has been done. And this chap is screwed. Already the hospitals has agreed to cover any issues if there are heart problems in the long run.

nurses are the ones usually running infusion pumps in the ward...only nurses know how to set an infusion pump correctly (yes not even Drs or pharmacists know how to, in theory only they know how to) because we do it almost everyday, therefore even if a mistake is made by a nurse, it would be err more on the conservative side, that is administering less instead of more...

 

[Seee3]

The issue is "the hospital has failed miserably in containing a crisis." Under such situation, the affected party has the right to create a scene.

 

[ThePlen]

the pharmacists should have at least apologised. but if Mr Ng is so free to go around creating a scene, his mother's condition should not be that bad

 

[scroobal]

Medical incompetence or negligence is not a rare event. It happens every now and then.

Common sense will tell you how to handle the issue in a way that maximises your chances of some sort of compensation. The fact that the pharmacists apologised to their other patient and not to them says a lot.

Dr Myint Soe is a legend in singapore medical legal circles for representing patients who are victims of medical negligence or incompetence. The smart and educated ones will not sign anything, keep quiet and ask him to represent the victim. His company letterhead is enough for the hospital insurance to step in and settle. A high % will be settled out of court. His former partner and the partner's children are now the leading legal eagles in this field.

Only the stupid ones will throw a tantrum, ask Auntie Julie to call the press, write blogs.

If the hospital or doctor does not agree to a settlement, it will go to court and the publicity is maximised. No need to call Auntie Julie. Now the compensation if any is not going to cover any adverse publicity. Clearly in this case, the whole family is dumb.

The issue is "the hospital has failed miserably in containing a crisis." Under such situation, the affected party has the right to create a scene.

 

[Kid278]

Medical incompetence or negligence is not a rare event. It happens every now and then.

Common sense will tell you how to handle the issue in a way that maximises your chances of some sort of compensation. The fact that the pharmacists apologised to their other patient and not to them says a lot.

Dr Myint Soe is a legend in singapore medical legal circles for representing patients who are victims of medical negligence or incompetence. The smart and educated ones will not sign anything, keep quiet and ask him to represent the victim. His company letterhead is enough for the hospital insurance to step in and settle. A high % will be settled out of court. His former partner and the partner's children are now the leading legal eagles in this field.

Only the stupid ones will throw a tantrum, ask Auntie Julie to call the press, write blogs.

If the hospital or doctor does not agree to a settlement, it will go to court and the publicity is maximised. No need to call Auntie Julie. Now the compensation if any is not going to cover any adverse publicity. Clearly in this case, the whole family is dumb.

Concurred. But on the hindsight I would cut them some slack for the ignorance. A negligence is a negligence, victims has to be compensated regardless of severity a damage has done. Reading in between lines it seems they're not even sure or dont even know if they has a right to it.

This is a pure case of ignorance versus arrogance, even the COW is trying to justify citing fatigue as an excuse that can override negligence. What an arrogant idiot.:(

 

[scroobal]

Agree. The word is indeed ignorance. And yes, I need to cut the guy some slack. I wish the chap had better family guidance and support.

But on the hindsight I would cut them some slack for the ignorance. A negligence is a negligence, victims has to be compensated regardless of severity a damage has done. Reading in between lines it seems they're not even sure or dont even know if they has a right to it.

This is a pure case of ignorance versus arrogance, even the COW is trying to justify citing fatigue as an excuse that can override negligence. What an arrogant idiot.:(