LAHORE: In yet another incident of medical misconduct, surfacing in a public hospital, a security guard was spotted collecting blood sample of a patient at the blood bank in Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.
Blood sampling is a sensitive procedure supposedtobe carried out by qualified staff.
A fact-finding report on the issue reveals that no blood transfusion officer and staff nurse was appointed in the evening and night shifts at the blood bank, where the transfusions have reportedly been handled by the security guardfor a long time.
It was the third case of gross negligence surfacing during the last few days in the government teaching hospitals of Lahore, blatantly exposing the serious loop-holes in the healthcare system and the weak administration, threateningthe patients’lives.
The fresh case of blatant violation of the standard medical guidelines, sparked widespread criticism on social media platforms, when the clips were uploaded showing a security guard performing blood transfusion services in a major government teaching hospital of Lahore.
Earlier, two such incidents were reported in the Lady Willingdon Hospital, where the health authorities had punished the on-duty doctors, heads of the relevant departments and the senior admin officials harshly for the gross misconduct.
About Sir Ganga Ram Hospital incident, an official said the video clips showed the security guard was not following the mandatory precautionary measures, including use of gloves, beforeinserting needle in the patient’s vein.
Following the strong criticism on social media platforms, the institute had constituted a fourmember fact-finding committee, headed by Additional Medical Superintendent (Administration) Dr Zile Huma.
Other members of the committee were Mother and Child Hospital Assistant Medical Superintendent (AMS) Dr Marium, and emergency woman medical officers Dr Nafeesa and Dr Amna Uppal.
Putting the entire blame on the Institute of Blood Transfusion Services (IBTS), Punjab, the committee stated that the blood bank located in Sir Ganga Ram Hospital is under the administrative control of the Punjab IBTS director and the hospital had nothing to do with the reported violation.
As per the agreement, the com-mittee’s report stated, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital had just provided the space for the blood bank.
‘All the relevant staffers, gazetted or non-gazetted, are supposed to be appointed and managed by the IBTS Punjab,’ reads the report.
During investigation, the scrutiny of duty roster showed that no blood transfusion officer or staff nurse was appointed in both the evening and night shifts in the blood bank.
As per the committee, the guard said that he would be usually engaged for blood transfusions during the rush hours.
It has recommended appointment of trained and qualified lab techniciansandstaffnursesinall three shifts.
‘At least six lab technicians must be physically present on duty, along with appropriate lab attendants, bearers etc,’ reads the report.