Dengue death: Department views case seriously
Published on: Thursday, January 04, 2024
“We strive to improve the quality of treatment at Tuaran Hospital. Currently, the hospital has four specialist on duty, namely one general medical specialist, two paediatric specialists and one emergency medical specialist,” Dr Asits said.
Kota Kinabalu: State Health Director Datuk Dr Asits Sanna said the Department views seriously the case of an 18-year-old male from Kg Bulieng, Tuaran, who died of dengue due to alleged poor diagnosis by medical officers in Tuaran Hospital’s Emergency and Trauma Department.
He said investigation is underway to identify shortcomings so as to improve the quality of health care services.
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“Preliminary investigations showed the patient came to the hospital’s Emergency and Trauma Department twice, on Dec. 25 and Dec. 28.
He came to the emergency department at 11.23am on Dec. 25 after experiencing epigastric pain and vomiting for one day.
“According to the data, the patient had no other symptoms such as fever, diarrhoea, chest pain, or shortness of breath. The examination of vital signs while getting treatment was also stable, with acceptable temperature readings.
After about an hour of monitoring in the observation zone, the patient was given therapy with gastrointestinal medicine and anti-vomiting medicine via intravenous injection and allowed to go home.
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“He was given painkillers, gastric medicine, and was advised to come back immediately to the hospital if symptoms worsened.
“The patient returned to the hospital’s Emergency and Trauma Unit at 8.50am on Dec. 28 with symptoms of nasal bleeding, fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, and loss of appetite.
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“On this second visit, the patient was evaluated by an Emergency Physician on duty at Tuaran Hospital and found to have Dengue.
“Because the patient’s condition was unstable at the time, he was transferred to Queen Elizabeth Hospital for further treatment at 11.30am the same day. However, the patient was pronounced dead the next day at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit,” he said.
“We strive to improve the quality of treatment at Tuaran Hospital. Currently, the hospital has four specialist on duty, namely one general medical specialist, two paediatric specialists and one emergency medical specialist,” he said.
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