Family awaits post-mortem report after alleged hospital negligence

 

S Sivaperumal had urged the health ministry to conduct an investigation after a guidewire was allegedly left in his blood vessel following treatment at Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital.

PETALING JAYA: The family of a dialysis patient who died following alleged negligence by a hospital in Klang is awaiting the post-mortem report before deciding whether to take legal action.

Lawyer J Gunamalar, who is acting for S Sivaperumal’s family, said the 53-year-old man passed away yesterday morning.

“The body has been sent for a post-mortem. We will wait for the report,” she said, when asked if the family would seek legal recourse over Sivaperumal’s death.

She told FMT that the post-mortem was ongoing and that the body would be released for funeral rites to be carried out tomorrow.

On Dec 12, Sivaperumal, through his lawyer, urged the health ministry to conduct a transparent and thorough investigation after a guidewire was allegedly left in his blood vessel following treatment at Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital (HTAR).

In the letter sighted by FMT, Gunamalar said her client had “lost confidence” in the ability of the hospital to carry out an investigation into the matter.

According to the letter, Sivaperumal received dialysis treatment at HTAR from Dec 4 to 7 and, upon observation, was admitted to the ward.

“The hospital then proceeded with the insertion of a dialysis catheter (tube) in the dressing room, which appeared to lack the proper facilities. Following this treatment, the patient’s condition deteriorated and he experienced vomiting on a daily basis,” the letter read.

It said that upon reviewing the X-ray report, the attending doctor discovered a 22cm guidewire inside the patient’s body.

“The client had to undergo surgery at Sungai Buloh Hospital to remove the wire and is currently hospitalised at the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre,” said the letter, adding that Sivaperumal suffered “deep trauma” and that his health condition was “critical”.

On Dec 9, HTAR director Dr Zulkarnain Rawi assured that the hospital was investigating the allegation, after the incident was shared on social media.

“The outcome of the investigation will be communicated to the patient or family to control the confidentiality of the information. The hospital will not compromise if negligence is found to have occurred while patients are receiving treatment at HTAR,” he said in a statement.

FMT has reached out to the health ministry and hospital for comment. - FMT