Tay Ninh General Hospital. Photo: Nam An

Phan Thanh Tam, Director of Tay Ninh General Hospital, confirmed this on 17/8, following a review of the 13-month-old patient's treatment by the medical board.

The boy, a resident of Ninh Dien commune, Tay Ninh, was prematurely born, had a weak constitution, and was unvaccinated. He was admitted to the hospital on the evening of 9/8 with a high fever, vomiting, and was treated in the pediatric ward. Doctors diagnosed him with measles complicated by severe pneumonia, intestinal dysfunction, and a rash, and prescribed antibiotics and fever reducers.

Around 10:00 on 12/8, the patient's condition worsened, developing respiratory failure and acute tracheobronchitis, and he was transferred to the Infectious Diseases Department. Doctors from the Pediatric and ICU departments consulted on his treatment.

The director stated, "The doctor prescribed adrenaline, which can be administered via nebulizer or injection." He confirmed that in this case, the doctor prescribed nebulization, but the nurse injected the medication.

Around 9:00 on 13/8, the patient became lethargic, developed a full-body rash, rapid heart rate, and severe respiratory distress. He was intubated and the hospital decided to transfer him to a higher-level facility in Ho Chi Minh City. However, during the transfer, his respiratory condition deteriorated further, leading to cardiac arrest and his death later that afternoon.

"Regarding the error by the two nurses, the hospital will convene a disciplinary board to determine appropriate action and facilitate a direct apology to the patient's family," the director said. The two nurses will be reassigned to other duties, no longer providing direct patient care.

Hospital representatives visited the family, explained the treatment process in detail, and apologized for the nurses' negligence.

Nam An