Requiring a patient to take proper imaging tests before undergoing an operation is part of “proper medical procedures,” said Dr. Olivia Dandan, chief of hospital of Cebu Provincial Hospital in Balamban (CPH Balamban).
Dr. Dandan was reacting to a social media post of a certain Ronald Waskin, aka “Lang Lang” on social media, who alleged improper treatment of his brother Edmar Waskin at CPH Balamban.
According to the post dated July 12, the patient Edmar was being treated at CPH Balamban on June 30 after figuring in an accident at work in a construction site which caused him to have wooden splinters in his right arm.
He was set for a minor procedure to remove the splinters, but he was first required to take an X-ray in order to determine the location of foreign objects in the body.
Dr. Dandan explained that an X-ray was necessary to ensure a comprehensive understanding of what foreign objects were in the patient’s right arm — especially that the accident happened in a construction site where metallic materials abound.
“It (X-ray) is crucial to use imaging to accurately locate all foreign objects and assess the extent of any internal damage,” the medical chief emphasized.
Ronald, however, alleged that the operation failed to remove all the splinters and claimed that family members had to extract the remaining splinters themselves.
Dr. Dandan said X-rays will not be able to locate wooden objects, that why the doctor who worked on Edmar had to do the best that he could, since the X-ray returned inconclusive.
After the operation, moreover, Dr. Dandan noted that the patient was given an instruction to return for a follow-up checkup after seven days for the doctor to be able to monitor the wound and ensure proper healing.
“Unfortunately, the patient did not return for the scheduled follow-up checkup,” Dr. Dandan said. This made it challenging for the medical team to assess the wound’s condition and address any remaining issues, she added.
The hospital chief was taken aback when they discovered Ronald Waskin’s Facebook post twelve days later criticizing the treatment provided at CPH Balamban. Dr. Dandan expressed surprise and disappointment at the turn of event, stressing that CPH Balamban had followed all standard medical procedures, exerted proper care and effort, and advised the patient appropriately.
Dr. Dandan reaffirmed that the hospital adhered to “proper medical procedures” and provided appropriate care for Edmar Waskin. She urged the patient to visit the hospital for further treatment to prevent potential infection and ensure complete recovery of his wound.
CPH Balamban remains committed to the health and well-being of its patients, having recently received Level 2 DOH accreditation status. Dr. Dandan reiterated the importance of following the doctor’s instructions, especially on follow-up appointments, and encouraged patients to adhere to medical advice to ensure optimal outcomes. | via JT
