Hot Pack Suspected Cause of Child's Temperature Drop...Hospital States "We Must Take Responsibility"
A newborn baby, only six hours old, suffered burns due to medical negligence by the hospital. Photo is unrelated to the article content.
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seohyun] An accident occurred in which a baby only six hours after birth suffered severe burns. The accident was caused by a hot pack placed under the blanket by the hospital to maintain the baby's body temperature.
The obstetrics and gynecology department admitted all medical negligence and promised compensation, but stated, "This is the first time such an incident has happened, so we are not sure exactly what happened."
A woman identified as A (36 years old, female) living in Wanju-gun, Jeonbuk, gave birth to her second daughter at an obstetrics and gynecology hospital in Jeonju city around 10 a.m. on July 5. The hospital showed her husband, B (37 years old), that the baby was healthy, then moved the baby to the neonatal room.
B, who briefly went home to take care of their first child, received a phone call from his wife around 4:30 p.m. that day saying, "The obstetrics and gynecology department said there is a blister about the size of a 500-won coin on the baby's waist, and it might be a virus, so we need to visit a larger hospital."
The baby was transferred from the obstetrics and gynecology hospital to a large hospital in Jeonju city, but after examining the wound, the medical staff at the large hospital recommended moving the baby to a university hospital. Accordingly, A urgently called a private ambulance and went to the university hospital.
The baby then stayed in the neonatal intensive care unit of the university hospital for about ten days. The skin on the waist and buttocks was peeled off due to the burns, and the baby had to undergo sepsis treatment using antibiotics.
A recalled, "Because of the injured area, the baby had to lie face down the entire time at the university hospital," adding, "This posture can be fatal for a newborn, so I was so anxious that I couldn't sleep."
The obstetrics and gynecology hospital did not charge any medical fees at the time and promised to focus on the baby's treatment and later discuss compensation. The hospital claimed this was the first time a hot pack caused a problem. They explained that to maintain the body temperature of all newborns, they place a blanket that acts as an outer wrap over the swaddle, and put a hot pack underneath it.
An official from the obstetrics and gynecology department said, "Although it is not clearly explained how this happened, since the baby was injured, it is right that our hospital takes responsibility," and added, "From the beginning, we guided the family to claim all compensation for consolation money and additional treatment costs through the insurance company." They also said, "We feel sorry and saddened for the baby and the parents, and we plan to proceed with compensation."
A expressed frustration over the inability to determine the cause of the accident, saying, "There needs to be a law mandating CCTV installation in neonatal rooms," and added, "If other babies are fine and only ours was injured, wouldn't that mean some external factor was different?"
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