Horrific negligence in intensive care for 17-day-old baby: Seriously injured in incubator

A chain of negligence at a private healthcare facility in Florya, Istanbul, has resulted in serious injuries to 17-day-old Asel B., who had been admitted to intensive care due to a lung infection.

According to the prepared report, it was determined that the protective cover required to be on the incubator device where Asel B. was being treated was missing. As a result of this situation, the arm of the defenseless baby, Asel, came into contact with the device's heating fan, causing third-degree burns on her right arm.

Authorities reported that after the severe injury, the first emergency intervention for the baby was performed at the hospital. It was subsequently announced that the baby was rapidly transferred to another hospital with a better-equipped burn unit and that her family was informed of the situation.

According to the report by Rojda Altıntaş, the official documents prepared emphasized that this tragic incident was not a direct medical error, but occurred entirely due to technical deficiencies in device safety and maintenance processes. It was specifically noted that auxiliary staff performing procedures in neonatal care without nursing supervision is contrary to safety standards.

Furthermore, it was stated that the hospital management did not sufficiently oversee the biomedical control and calibration of medical devices, and that the failure to detect the security vulnerability in the device beforehand points to a multifaceted service failure. It was conveyed that the responsibility extends not only to individual staff members but also to the institution's oversight mechanisms.

Within the scope of the investigation, permission was granted to initiate an administrative investigation into hospital employees E.E., Ö.B., A.Ö.M., and Y.K. No investigation was opened against the specialist doctor responsible for the baby's treatment process, Uzm. Dr. H.S.C., on the grounds that there was no negligence or fault found on their part.

It has been learned that during the process, the negligence will be examined multidimensionally by judicial authorities, and that staff supervision, device safety, and the responsibilities of the hospital management will be investigated in detail.

News Source: 12punto