Broken laser machine still crushed stones for 500 patients, Ministry of Health urgently directed

Regarding the incident where the machine broke down for nearly 2 years but hundreds of patients at the Central Highlands General Hospital still received stone crushing surgery, the Ministry of Health has issued urgent instructions.

The Department of Nephrology and Urology of the Central Highlands General Hospital, where the machine breakdown scandal occurred, still has records of lithotripsy for nearly 500 patients - Photo: MINH PHUONG

On September 18, the Ministry of Health issued an urgent document to the People's Committee of Dak Lak province after the press reported that the Central Highlands General Hospital was still performing lithotripsy for hundreds of patients even though the laser machine had been broken since the end of 2023.

The Ministry of Health assessed this as a serious incident, with the risk of directly affecting the health of patients and the reputation of the medical sector.

In the document, the Ministry of Health requested the People's Committee of Dak Lak province to direct the Department of Health of this province to urgently check and verify information, review the entire process of purchasing, managing and using medical equipment, and review the technical process of lithotripsy as well as the conditions for medical examination and treatment.

The Ministry of Health requested the Department of Health to review the responsibilities of individuals and groups involved, ensuring that all medical examination and treatment activities comply with legal regulations.

In addition, the ministry requested the provincial Social Insurance to review contracts, assess and pay health insurance costs from 2023 to present, clarify responsibilities and recover costs that are not in accordance with regulations.

The Ministry of Health also requested a comprehensive inspection and review of medical examination and treatment facilities in the area to ensure patient safety and prevent similar errors.

The urgent document emphasized that the results must be made public on mass media and a quick report sent to the Ministry of Health before 1:00 p.m. on September 19 for urgent implementation.

Dak Lak Department of Health held a press conference on the morning of September 18 to inform about the incident - Photo: TRUNG TAN

On the same morning, Mr. Nay Phi La, Director of Dak Lak Department of Health, confirmed that the hospital's laser machine had been broken since November 2023, but the records were still being prepared for settlement, causing material discrepancies and suspected violations; the case has been transferred to the police.

The inspection revealed that about 480 lithotripsy procedures took place due to machine failure, lax management of equipment and supplies, and improper payment of allowances. The professional council determined that the surgical and anesthesia teams were dishonest and performed the wrong procedures; 255 patients who did not use the service were still paid and would be examined free of charge.

Due to these violations, the hospital has disciplined the leaders and staff of the Department of Nephrology and Urology, including: Ms. Tran Thi Kim Oanh (head nurse) was reprimanded; Mr. Le Xuan Vinh (deputy head of department) was reprimanded; Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Hoang (head of department) was warned; Mr. Bui Ngoc Duc (head of surgery and anesthesia) was reprimanded.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/may-laser-hong-van-tan-soi-cho-500-benh-nhan-bo-y-te-chi-dao-khan-20250918174113494.htm