| Even as the Expert Committee appointed by Cabinet, along with the Office of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), continues to peruse a report from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) into a recent maternal death there, an internal investigation is set to commence.GPHC Administrator, Michael KhanThis is according to Hospital Administrator, Michael Khan, who during an interview with this publication yesterday disclosed that a thorough internal probe into the death of 28-year-old Luan Rodney will commence on Monday. This investigation is being done with a view of ascertaining culpability of the death.Rodney was admitted to the Hospital on June 3, last, to deliver her second daughter, but by the following morning she was pronounced dead. Reports are that her baby was delivered stillborn, hours after a pill was inserted into her to induce labour.There are reports that there was negligence on the part of nurses who were manning the hospital in the wee hours of the morning when Rodney went into labour. It was revealed that a patient in the same ward had observed that the now dead woman was in labour and informed a nurse who allegedly disregarded at least two calls for help. This publication was told that it was not until Rodney had started bleeding that the nurse took action.A few weeks ago, the public hospital had fulfilled its obligation to complete a report into the death which was formally handed over to the CMO’s office and brought to the attention of the Expert Committee. Khan confirmed yesterday that based on the recommendations of the Committee, two doctors as well as two nurses were sent on administrative leave.He further highlighted that although it is always a sad situation when someone dies, “I can tell you honestly this (Luan Rodney’s death) is the first direct maternal death we have had for the year. It was a sad incident, but it just shows that we have improved…This is the first death in six months,” the Administrator asserted.He disclosed that another maternal death from Region One actually “wasn’t our case because that patient came in, in a very bad way, and another two maternal cases we could have done nothing to prevent them from dying.”Moreover, Khan said that it is only fair that the medical staffers of the hospital are complimented, because they have worked very well to make the facility a better place. He however emphasised that there is always need for continued training and close supervision, but noted that “our systems are functioning.”And as preparations are made for the hospital’s internal investigation, Khan said that he along with the Director of Medical and Professional Services, Dr Madan Rambaran, and the Director of Nursing Services,Cheap Jerseys From China, Sister Audrey Corry, will today meet with husband of the deceased, Nigel Rodney.Rodney who buried his wife and baby daughter on June 10, last, has on several occasions complained about the lack of information from the hospital relating to the deaths. In fact he was told that post mortem examinations conducted were inconclusive.But according to Khan, as part of the hospital’s effort to show support to the widower, he will be duly informed of the progress of the investigation. |
