Transferring the case of broken lithotripsy machine still "treating" hundreds of patients to the police

(Dan Tri) - Dak Lak Department of Health has provided records and documents of the incident in which hundreds of patients were recorded to have undergone laser lithotripsy despite the machine being broken, which occurred at the Central Highlands General Hospital.

On September 18, the Dak Lak Department of Health responded to the press regarding the incident where the laser lithotripsy machine of the Central Highlands General Hospital was broken but hundreds of patients still had their lithotripsy performed... using this method.

Mr. Nay Phi La, Director of Dak Lak Department of Health, said that the Department has reported to the Ministry of Health , the Provincial Party Committee, and the People's Committee of Dak Lak province on the current status of medical examination and treatment activities at the Department of Nephrology and Urology, Central Highlands General Hospital.

Dak Lak Department of Health responded to the press about the incident of a broken lithotripsy machine but still providing lithotripsy for patients and declaring this service to pay for health insurance (Photo: Thuy Diem).

The report stated that on July 22, the Dak Lak Department of Health coordinated with the Central Highlands General Hospital to conduct a professional inspection at the hospital's Department of Nephrology and Urology. There, 480 laser lithotripsy cases were discovered to have been performed at the hospital while the laser lithotripsy machine was broken and no longer in use.

Mr. Nay Phi La affirmed that the surgical team and the anesthesia team were dishonest in performing their duties as physicians. They did not follow the consultation regulations and the technical procedures issued by the hospital in the treatment instructions and methods.

"In this case, the doctors and staff violated professional ethics. We are handling it seriously to rectify the entire industry. Information about the incident has caused outrage in society and the Department of Health has transferred the files and documents to the police to have a basis to handle the individuals and organizations involved," said Mr. Nay Phi La.

Central Highlands General Hospital (Photo: Thuy Diem).

At the meeting, Ms. Le Ka Thuy, Deputy Director of the Central Highlands General Hospital, said that the Department of Nephrology - Urology and Surgery - Anesthesia and Resuscitation had committed violations in professional activities regarding endoscopic lithotripsy of ureter and endoscopic placement of ureteral catheters.

Ms. Thuy explained that at the time the Department of Health and the hospital discovered that 480 cases had been treated at the Department of Nephrology and Urology. After that, the hospital set up an inspection team and determined that 255 patients did not use the laser lithotripsy machine, but the doctors still applied the price of this lithotripsy machine to perform surgery.

"Not having a lithotripsy machine but still charging the price of a lithotripsy machine is a violation. These individuals did it themselves without reporting to the hospital leadership and the hospital has established a disciplinary council for these individuals," said Ms. Thuy.

Mr. Nguyen Dang Giap, Director of the Central Highlands General Hospital, presented the violations that occurred at the hospital (Photo: Veterinary Diem).

Mr. Nguyen Dang Giap, Director of the Central Highlands General Hospital, admitted that the direction, management, operation, inspection and professional supervision of functional departments were not thorough, not strict, and did not promptly detect violations for correction.

According to Mr. Giap, after the incident, the hospital coordinated to provide documents and files to the police and worked with the provincial Social Insurance to resolve payment of medical examination and treatment costs for patients related to lithotripsy during the time the machine was broken.

"The hospital has reviewed the list of patients involved and affected in the incident to organize free health check-ups. We are coordinating to clarify the difference in the amount paid by health insurance for these cases," Mr. Giap added.

According to the Director of the Central Highlands General Hospital, 255 patients who underwent other lithotripsy methods but were charged the same price for the laser lithotripsy machine were an unfortunate incident of the hospital that the hospital's leaders and the Department of Health discovered and corrected.

The laser lithotripsy machine of the Central Highlands General Hospital has been broken since December 2023. Up to now, the hospital has completely stopped this surgical method because the machine is not guaranteed.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/chuyen-cong-an-vu-may-tan-soi-hong-van-chua-cho-hang-tram-benh-nhan-20250918120116353.htm