Soewandhie Hospital Surabaya Clarifies The News Of Patients Died Due To Slow Treatment

President Director of Dr. Soewandhie Hospital, Dr. Billy Daniel Messakh. (ANTARA/HO-Diskominfo Surabaya)

The management of the Soewandhie Hospital has clarified a misunderstanding of information about the death of a patient named Asiasih (52), a resident of Tanah Merah, Surabaya City, which is suspected to be due to slow treatment at a local hospital.

President Director of Dr. Soewandhie Hospital, Dr. Billy Daniel Messakh, said his party had previously advised the family to be referred to other hospitals because the inpatient room was full, but the family refused.

"The patient's family twice refused to be referred by making a written statement," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Saturday, June 3.

The first rejection was made by the family on May 27, 2023 at 23.40 WIB, namely the refusal to be referred at the Emergency Installation (IGD). Also, the second rejection was made by the family on May 30, 2023 at 16.01 WIB, when they were about to enter the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

"On May 27, 2023, at 23.40 WIB, the patient came to the emergency room accompanied by a family with a weak complaint on both legs, difficulty walking, shortness of breath, cough, and dizziness. Dr. Soewandhie Hospital then explained that the inpatient room was full, the patient was offered to be referred to another hospital, but the family refused and wanted to wait in the emergency room, until there was an inpatient room available," said Dr Billy.

However, Dr. Soewandhi Hospital continues to provide medical services and treatment to patients while in the emergency room, such as conducting cardiac records and conducting laboratory tests, as well as carrying out other medical actions. On May 29, 2023, nurses and transporters took the patient to be transferred to an inpatient room.

"While in the inpatient room, conditions decreased and required an ICU, we offer it to the ICU and require approval to enter the ICU. He (patient) refused, because he refused, meaning that we could not include him in the ICU indent," he said.

Dr Billy explained, on May 31, 2023 morning, the patient and his family finally agreed to enter the ICU.

"At that time the ICU was full, then it was just entered the ICU indent list on the 31st morning. That morning, he entered number 4, in the afternoon he was already number 1 because the other three numbers had moved rooms. After getting an indent and the ICU was being prepared, but the patient's condition got worse and was declared dead. The patient's condition decreased when he was in the inpatient room, not while in the ER," he said.

Deputy Chairperson of the Surabaya City DPRD, Reni Astuti, previously highlighted the health services at the Soewandhie Hospital which seemed not optimal in providing medical treatment.

According to Reni, his party received reports from residents via whatsapp (WA) regarding the critical situation of a patient regarding hospital service complaints that seemed not optimal in providing medical treatment.

This was experienced by a mother, Asiasi (52), a resident of Kewall River Land. This condition requires her to enter the ICU. However, this could not be done because the hospital stated that the ICU room was full.

This situation has been experienced by patients since coming to the hospital on Saturday (27/5). The patient had to wait up to three days in the ER before finally entering the treatment room on Monday (29/5) because he was in line.

"Resident safety is the main thing, whoever it is," said Reni.