A hospital in Thailand has expressed regret after a 1-year-old boy suffered a severely injured right index finger when a nursing assistant accidentally cut it while removing material securing an IV line.
The incident happened on the morning of 11 September at Somdet Phra Yuppharat Loeng Nok Tha Hospital in Yasothon province.
The boy was subsequently transferred to Sappasitthiprasong Hospital in neighbouring Ubon Ratchathani province, where surgeons managed to reattach the severed part of his finger after two operations.
Boy Had Been Cleared to Go Home
According to the boy’s mother, he had spent 10 nights in hospital being treated for an illness and was cleared by his doctor to return home that morning.
While the family was waiting for his IV line to be removed, a nursing assistant approached with scissors and cotton.
The mother said the scissors were inserted beneath the material around the boy’s index finger so it could be cut away. The scissors instead caught the child’s finger, severing part of it.
The boy’s father separately told Thai media that the injury involved the tip of his right index finger.
Hospital staff provided initial treatment before arranging an urgent transfer to Sappasitthiprasong Hospital for surgery.
Surgeons Reattached Finger After Two Operations
The boy underwent two operations, with the second procedure ending at around 1am on 12 September.
His mother later said doctors had successfully reattached the finger.
However, the outcome of the operation will require further monitoring. The boy’s father said doctors would need time to assess whether the affected nerves, tissue and blood vessels recover properly.
He also said his son remained in pain after surgery and was having difficulty sleeping and eating.
The family has also lodged a police report over the incident, according to the father’s account to Thai media.
Hospital Reviewing Its Safety Procedures
In a joint statement reported by Thai health news outlet Hfocus on 12 September, the Yasothon Provincial Public Health Office and Somdet Phra Yuppharat Loeng Nok Tha Hospital expressed regret and concern over what happened.
They said the boy had been quickly assisted and transferred for appropriate treatment after the incident, and that officials were continuing to monitor his condition and communicate with his family.
The hospital has also begun reviewing its treatment procedures and patient-safety systems to identify changes that could prevent a similar incident.
The provincial health office said it would continue supporting the child and his family, including coordinating his medical care and providing relevant assistance.
