WHEN Mr Eugene Cao took his infant daughter to a clinic in Boon Lay for a mild cold last Monday, he did not expect her to vomit after consuming a prescribed medicine.
The 33-year-old research fellow visited a polyclinic the next day for a second opinion, and as told that Fedac, the prescribed drug, was intended for those aged two years and older.
His daughter is only four months old. Infuriated, he returned to the Boon Lay clinic to seek an explanation, but its management denied any responsibility, saying that it was a locum, or part-time doctor, who had attended to his child.
The clinic has no control over its locums’ practice methods, he was told.
Mr Cao said: “They (doctors) are medical professionals and people trust them with their health, so I think the clinic owes us an explanation.”
When my paper contacted the clinic, its medical director, Dr K. T. Teo, said that the clinic would bear responsibility for certain situations, such as if a nurse dispenses the wrong medication even though a doctor prescribed it correctly.
But doctors, both full- and part-time, are expected to be responsible for their actions, said Dr Teo. He added that the clinic has spoken to the doctor involved, Dr N. Ling. Dr
Teo said Dr Ling had informed him that he has his “own formula” when prescribing medicine.
Whether or not Dr Ling wants to speak to Mr Cao is beyond the clinic’s control, added Dr Teo.
Lawyer Amolat Singh said: “The doctor is liable even if he is a locum. The patient’s
family can seek recourse from the clinic as well, because the doctor was allowed to practise there.”
The case bears similarity to a high-profile one that took place three years ago in the United States, involving the children of actor Dennis Quaid. His 10-day-old twins’ lives were in danger after they were given two adult doses of a blood-thinning drug.
The Singapore Medical Council’s annual reports showed that doctors taken to task for excessive or inappropriate use of drugs dropped from 22 cases in 2008 to seven last year.
Although Mr Cao’s daughter is well now, he is still seeking an explanation.
He said: “It’s been scary for me as I am a first-time parent.”
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I welcome anybody from any public administration to talk abt their day @ work
All the juicy bits would be nice on this forum.
I just love social justice!
Think you are rich enough to engage a lawyer and sue for answer.
As stated in the article Mr Cho is a first time parent he might be over anxious which is understandable.
I have read the article by Dr Khor which was meant as a refresher for the medical profession. As suggested by you I have also search for Fedac from the same web site. It appears that you are referring to "Fedac Comp".
Fedac and Fedac Comp are 2 different item.
Fedac Compound contains codeine which have to be used with caution for young children as it might cause "respiratory suppression".
This is a general knowledge for the Healthcare profession.
I am worried for you as by mentioning the name of the clinic without any prove you might be liable for defamation.
Good night. I will .....
My experience in raising children? I am a stay-home mother with 20 years of experience.
Point Medical Group @ Jurong Point
Address: #B1A-20A, Jurong Point
pls read the report by Dr Elizabeth Khor, Senior Consultant, Department of Paediatrics the Children's Medical Institute, National University Hospital
http://www.med.nus.edu.sg/paed/academic/AM_cough_cold.htm
search for "Fedac" and see whether it is suitable for infant yourself
Vomiting is common for infant with cold and is cause by post nasal drip.
I am surprise that they are so many "experts" giving opinion without any knowledge
Like the reply I put to their other post, have you raised children before ?
There is nothing wrong with Fedac. It is the amount introduced to the infant and how the parent introduce it, eg. Forced-feeding or mixing it to the infant's formula milk,etc. Infants have a natural mechanism to vomit out food or medicine that causes discomfort.
What do you know about raising children ?
You are ill-bred judging from your comment. I am sure your mum must have stuck her middle-finger up your anus when you when sucking her teats !
The doctor is right with Fedac.