Thanh Hoa Department of Health does not have enough grounds to conclude the case of ambulance collecting 9.5 million VND

On September 7, a representative of the Thanh Hoa Department of Health said that the unit had reported to the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management, the Ministry of Health and the Provincial People's Committee about the case of transporting a seriously ill patient from Thanh Hoa Provincial General Hospital to home.

Accordingly, patient H.B.D (born in 1968) was treated at the Intensive Care Unit I - Poison Control in a very serious condition, with poor treatment response. On August 14, after consultation, doctors consulted on the condition and prognosis. The family wished to take the patient home, signed a commitment and the hospital completed procedures for the patient to be discharged.

The family contacted the transportation vehicle outside. According to the file, the vehicle did not belong to the hospital; the person transporting and caring for the patient on the vehicle was also not an employee of Thanh Hoa Provincial General Hospital.

After reflections from family members about the excessively high transportation costs and drug costs, the Department of Health established a team to inspect medical records, discharge records and work with relevant parties.

Initial results show that there is no basis to determine the person directly treating, consulting or introducing a specific transportation unit to the family. Hospital records show that the family contacted external vehicles themselves.

However, family members reflected that while completing discharge procedures, a person wearing a white blouse appeared in the patient room, claiming to be a hospital staff member, introducing a hospital car to participate in transportation. Because of trust, the family agreed to take the patient home as proposed.

The Department of Health contacted the transportation unit according to the family's phone number provided but could not be contacted, then received information that the person involved was working with the police agency. Because it has not worked directly with the service provider, the Department does not have enough basis to verify operating conditions and relationships between the parties.

Regarding vasopressors used in the vehicle, checking medical records and documents provided by the hospital did not show that the drugs were provided by Thanh Hoa Provincial General Hospital or prescribed by doctors and medical staff of the hospital.

The type of medicine, quantity, origin, provider, prescriber, user, drug price and amount paid by the family have not been fully verified. Therefore, the Department of Health does not have enough grounds to conclude the legality of the supply and use of vasopressor drugs as well as the reflected price.

Regarding transportation costs, according to the hospital's explanation, the incurred expenses do not belong to the collection and payment system of Thanh Hoa Provincial General Hospital. The Department of Health does not have complete documents from the service provider to determine each expense, collector, receiving unit and establishment forming the price level.

From the initial verification results, the Department of Health requested the hospital to fix the surveillance camera system, ensuring continuous operation in the reception, emergency, and resuscitation areas and where vehicles transport patients in and out.

The hospital must strengthen personnel management; prevent acts of introducing, brokering, and linking improperly with organizations and individuals transporting outside; review the control of vehicles entering and leaving the premises.

For organizations and individuals transporting outside, the Department of Health continues to coordinate with the police agency and competent units to verify and handle. If violations are detected within its authority, the Department will handle or advise; in cases beyond its authority, it will report to competent authorities for handling.