Loengnoktha Crown Prince Hospital in Thailand has apologised after an assistant nurse accidentally cut off part of a one-year-old child's right index finger while preparing him for discharge. The incident occurred when the nurse used scissors to remove a gauze wrapping holding an intravenous tube in place, according to the Bangkok Post.
Incident and Immediate Response
The child had been admitted to the hospital for respiratory and gastrointestinal infections earlier this month and was being discharged on Friday. In a Facebook post, the hospital stated: "A worker was removing an intravenous tube. During the procedure, the patient received a severe injury to his right index finger." The hospital added that the child received immediate first aid and treatment.
Reattachment Surgery
The severed finger part was placed in an ice box and transported with the patient to Sunpasitthiprasong Hospital for immediate reattachment. The surgical procedure required two operations, and surgeons had yet to evaluate the outcome.
Investigation and Suspension
The assistant nurse was suspended, and an investigation into the incident was launched, according to local reports. The Bangkok Post also reported that a Facebook user who appeared to be the toddler's mother wrote that the assistant nurse inserted the scissors into the hand wrapping from the fingertip side and cut the wrap immediately, without checking inside to ensure she avoided her son's fingers.
