Dimapur, August 19 (MExN): On Thursday, the Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research (CIHSR) issued a statement clarifying its position on the recent reports of a pregnant woman’s demise which is doing the rounds on social media.
Citing a WhatsApp message on August 7 and a YouTube video on August 17, the CIHSR stated that it “would like to clarify misperception, misinterpretation and misrepresentation of events” caused by the two social media circulation.
The Hospital management clarified that the patient had been tested Rapid Antigen Test positive from Zion Hospital on July 23 and referred to CIHSR as it was the only hospital besides the District Hospital identified by the government to admit COVID-19 patients at the moment.
Further, it stated that the patient was presented with severe breathlessness and was also displaying other COVID-19 symptoms like dry cough, throat irritation and fever. This was confirmed by the chest X-ray which showed both lung pneumonic patches, the hospital said.
No rib fracture was visible and in view of the serious condition of the patient, the emergency doctor discussed the need for COVID ICU admission, to which the patient party reportedly agreed.
Later, at every stage of patient care, the hospital claimed that its staff met with the patient’s relatives and that shared decisions were taken.
On claims that the patient’s family was not allowed to see the patient, the hospital clarified that visitors are discouraged to meet the COVID patients inside the COVID ICU/Ward for their safety. However, the patient party was allowed to do so at their request.
On forced nasogastric tube feeding, the hospital further clarified that the patient had to be put on continuous face mask ventilator due to worsening of the oxygen level. Taking solid food was causing worsening of the oxygen level due to which, she was fed through the nasogatric tube, it added.
It also added that physical restraint was applied to prevent pulling out of oxygen face mask, nasogatric tube and infusion lines.
On accusations of keeping a snake bite and a stroke patient in the COVID ICU, it further said that, while the hospital has separate ICUs for COVID and non-COVID patients, since both the patients were tested COVID positive on admission; they were admitted in the COVID ICU.
Regarding the delay in release of dead body, the CIHSR stated that dead bodies of COVID patients are released after proper disinfection and packing as per government guidelines along with necessary documentation which takes additional time.
All necessary medical reports were handed over to the patient party as per the hospital protocol, it said in response to claims of medical reports being held back by the hospital.
It also clarified that PPE is worn according to the hospital infection control policy and that staff wear appropriate PPE according to the need of the situation during their duty shift.
While offering deepest sympathy and condolences to the family who has lost their loved one to COVID-19, CIHSR stated that it remains committed to serve the people of Dimapur and Nagaland during the pandemic and that it would strive to improve its services with every passing day.
