Mistaken identity: Brought for circumcision, operated for kidney stones

Doctors say the confusion was caused by boys being namesakes.

MULTAN:

A six-year-old boy brought to the Nishtar Hospital three days ago for circumcision, was “mistakenly” operated for kidney stones on Thursday.

Doctors at the hospital said the confusion occurred because a five-year-old namesake of the child needed a kidney surgery.

The condition of the child was reported as out of danger. The parents have agreed not to prosecute.

Dissatisfied with the preliminary report, the Health Department has sought a detailed report identifying all the doctors in that ward.

An internal inquiry initiated on the direction of the medical superintendent has revealed that the surgeon and the anaesthetist had not followed the standard operating procedures. While the doctors looked at the boy’s tests and ultrasound reports prior to the surgery, they mistook this child for the other boy, who was scheduled to have the operation later on Wednesday. It was during the surgery that the surgeon, Dr Latif Soomroo, realised that the boy did not have kidney stones. The abdomen was then stitched without delay.

The boy’s parents said that a few hours later, they were informed about the “confusion”. They said they did not file a complaint against the doctor or the hospital because they were promised that their son would get special treatment. The hospital management also promised to treat the child free of cost.



Talking to The Express Tribune, they (parents) said being poor they could not afford litigation in any case. They said, “We just want our child to be given the best treatment. The hospital has promised that. They have promised he will be safe.”

Ward boy, Saeed, known by his first name only, said he had taken the boy to the operation theatre when the doctor called for a Kashif Ali. He said it was the doctor’s responsibility to ascertain which Kashif Ali was this.

Dr Soomro refused to comment on the matter saying the case was still being investigated. He continued, meanwhile, to perform his duties at the hospital.

MS Javed Umer said that the child would be kept in intensive care and be circumcised after his wounds healed properly. He said the hospital will bear the cost of treatment. He said the other boy, who was originally brought for kidney stones surgery on June 2, will be operated on Saturday (today).

He said an inquiry had been conducted by Dr Mushtaq, Dr Umer Farooq and Deputy MS Mazharul Khaliq.

He said the report had been sent to the health secretary. A copy of the report was also sent to the divisional commissioner and the health executive district officer. He admitted that the incident showed negligence on the doctor’s part.

He said the hospital administration had apologised to the child’s family and had assured them of its cooperation.
He said disciplinary action would be taken against the doctor after the Health Department completed its inquiry.

The EDO said that health secretary wasn’t satisfied with the hospital’s initial report. He said the secretary had sought a list of all the doctors in the ward, where the boys were admitted.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 8^th, 2013.