Georgetown- Below is a statement by the Georgetown Public Hospital about the death of baby for which the institution was blamed.
The Management of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation wishes to issue the following statement in response to the article published in the Saturday 7 January, 2012 edition of the Guyana Times newspaper captioned, “ Mother blames GPHC nurses for death of baby,” wherein the patient (and her mother) reportedly made the following claims:
- … “she (patient) was taken to the labour room where she was left unattended for more than two hours.”
- … “she was instructed that an emergency C-Section has to be done and was immediately taken into the theater, but again, was left unattended for some time.”
- … “the nurses are holding back information from us.”
- “At that point in time … her daughter was not aware that her baby had passed away and she (the patient’s mother) was the one to give her the unfortunate news.”
In response to these claims, the following must be stated:
- The patient was admitted to the hospital’s labour room on Thursday, 5 January, 2012 at 20:50h with complaints of lower abdominal pains and having suffered a ruptured membrane. Upon examination, there was found to be no foetal heart and the baby was coming transverse (hand presented at the vulva) both indications for an emergency Cesarean Section.
The patient arrived at the theater at 22:55h (a time span of 2hrs 5mins, after routine tests were done and her preparation for surgery, which is usually no fewer than 30mins).
- All patients are advised of the need to have any surgery performed, for consent must be given. In the event that the patient is under-aged or unconscious, the next-of-kin is required to provide that consent. It is noteworthy that the protocol was followed in this case as well and the patient signed the consent form after having the reason and procedure explained to her (she was conscious, lucid and fully oriented at that time).
At 23:18h, Thursday, 5 January, 2012, a macerated still-birth boy was extracted from the patient (within 1hr 3mins of her arrival at the theater).
- Management has always asserted that it is the protocol of the hospital for the Physician to formally advise the patient of any diagnosis, findings or pre/post –operation plans or procedures.
- Before the surgery, the patient was told that there was no foetal heart and other findings by the Physician. Moreover, the patient had told the staff that she did not feel foetal movement for a few days prior to her admission.
Management understands that the loss of a child or loved-one is a painful and stressful ordeal for any patient or relative; however, misinformation and erroneous statements peddled in the media will not go unrequited especially when the competence of the hospital’s hard-working and dedicated staff is being compromised/questioned.
Management wishes to further reiterate that all responses issued to the press can be corroborated by the patients’ charts, which are legal documents. It is also surprising that this media house did not seek to verify these allegations before taking this story to print.
Nonetheless, management expresses condolences to Ms. Haynes and other relatives for their loss.
Public Relations Office
Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation
