Toddler mistakenly given wart treatment instead of sleeping aid in Samut Prakan

A toddler of one year and four months old was mistakenly given trichloroacetic acid, a medication typically used for wart treatment, instead of a prescribed sleeping aid at Bangchak Hospital in Samut Prakan. The erroneous administration occurred on November 8 when the toddler’s mother had brought him to the hospital following a fall that resulted in a head injury.

The toddler had tumbled and struck his head on a bathroom floor, leading to the mother seeking medical attention for him on November 8. A doctor at the hospital ordered a sleeping aid to prepare the toddler for a CT scan. The aunt of the toddler collected two oral syringes from the hospital’s pharmacy department – one containing a sleeping medication and the other with water. These were then given to a nurse who instructed the mother to administer both liquids to her child.

The mother noticed her child crying after consuming half a syringe’s content. Despite this, the nurse insisted the child must consume the contents of both syringes. Upon attempting to dispense the second liquid, a drop splashed onto the mother’s arm, causing a burning sensation, reported Bangkok Post.

Questioning the nature of the liquid given to her child, the mother sought assistance from the Be One Facebook page community. With their help, she complained with the hospital.

Yesterday, the director of Bangchak Hospital, Wanchat Chinsuwatey, acknowledged that the toddler had been given the incorrect medication by a hospital official. The implicated official and the nurse involved have been suspended pending an investigation. If the official’s actions are deemed as a breach of conduct, termination of employment may follow. The hospital has committed to covering the medical costs for the toddler, who is currently receiving care at Ramathibodi Hospital.

A recent post on Facebook indicated an improvement in the toddler’s condition, with the swelling around his neck receding. However, the child still bears burn marks on his skin and remains connected to a ventilator. The family of the toddler are seeking a conversation with the official responsible for the error and are demanding an apology.