• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Hospital Defends Treatment

Posted on: Sunday, 9 October 2005, 21:00 CDT

By V. Shankar Ganesh; R. Anbu

SHAH ALAM, Sat. - Two contradictory explanations have emerged for the

alleged delay that may have contributed to the death of driving

instructor K. Murale at the Selangor Medical Centre on Wednesday.

The hospital today claimed Murale's wife, K. Nalini, 35, offered the

intensive care unit an ATM card to pay the RM3,500 deposit, which it

declined.

Nalini, an inventory controller, had said she gave her credit card,

which was rejected because of insufficient credit.

"I know the difference between an ATM card and a credit card," she

said, adding that the available amount on her credit card was RM1,800.

The issue over which card was offered will be resolved when her bank

replies to her request to confirm that the credit card was swiped at the

hospital after she arrived at 3.10am.

Murale, 39, died while being wheeled into the ICU about an hour after

arriving at the hospital following a heart attack.

Nalini lodged a police report at the Shah Alam district police

headquarters hours after her husband's death claiming the delay had led

to his death.

Hospital general manager Mohd Johar Ismail said Nalini presented her

ATM card and that "we cannot use that for the deposit". He said there was

a delay over the deposit but staff gave adequate treatment.

He said the medical officer attending to Murale had also contacted a

cardiologist on the telephone for advice.

"The doctor was doing his job in stabilising him while the other staff

were handling the deposit issue. Everyone was doing their part."

Johar, however, declined to specify the treatment given to Murale,

citing doctor-patient confidentiality.

"All I can say is that he was stabilised in the emergency room but I

can't say what we did. It's confidential and we will only release the

details if the family writes in for it."

Asked if the hospital would be contacting the family to discuss their

dissatisfaction, he said it would only be done if the management deemed

it necessary.

Johar said Murale was conscious and talking to the doctor who attended

to him.

"We did not move him to the intensive care unit immediately as we had

equipment to treat him at the emergency unit."

On why Murale's situation worsened after being stabilised, he said he

would have to check the records before answering the question.

He said the hospital had conducted a preliminary investigation and a

thorough investigation was under way. A mortality review committee would

also be looking into the case.

Asked about the difference in time of death as recorded on the body

label and the death certificate, he said he could not comment on the

matter.

The time of death is stated as 4.50am on the label and 5am on the

certificate.

Nalini said Murale's medical insurance card was rejected for some

reason.

She said her pleas for her husband to be sent to the ICU fell on deaf

ears.

Murale, a father of two children aged 11 and 12, was only admitted

after a brother-in-law paid the deposit about 4.30am.

SEE ALSO P10

MORE than 100 SMSes were sent by Malaysians who were upset that a

medical centre allegedly refused to admit K. Murale until a deposit was

paid.

* The private hospital must be responsible for what have happened to

K.Murale. They management's policy & their staff's act so inhumane.

* Gov. must make compulsory for all medical centres 2 treat patients

during emergencies without deposit.

* Hospital should have accepted d credict card n given nec.

treatment.collect money as soon as patient out o danger.Can d Hosp staf

live with this?

* It's disturbing to note our country's healthcare is becoming highly

commercialised. Govt nd to intervene and regulate.

* What is becoming of hospital nowadays ? don't they have any sympathy

anymore. Does money really matter that much even when a person's life is

at stake.

* Attrocious. It's about time we have a law which requires all

hospitals, clinics & specialist centres to treat patients first in

emergence cases

* What a shame.... Name the hospital & let everyone know.

* I feel so sad. Money comes 1st then human life. This not 1st time

this has happened

* The ministry shld identify standard methods for financial guarantee,

so public is aware.

Source: New Straits Times

More News in this Category