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This incident highlights real Third World outmoded nursing practice

Aug 31, 2015 Letters

Dear Editor,
Currently there is some goings on in Guyana that should never be publicized at least not via the media. One may ask why, and the immediate answer is- simply put: It highlights real Third World outmoded nursing practice. A case in question that certainly brings home this point in a poignant manner, is that of the needle being left in the infant, Kaieteur News, August 29.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines a safe injection to be one that does not harm the recipient, does not harm the health care worker, and does not harm the community.
Taking such a statement at face value, even the most myopic or moronic can see that a safe injection was not administered in the first place.
This immediately leads to the following question being asked or concern being addressed: Are the injection needles currently in usage in Guyana reaching safety standards? What of the syringes?  How skilled was the nurse administering the injection?
Did she possess the necessary experience for administering injections to pediatric clientele?  Has she previously been the subject of any such incident or others indicative of poor nursing skills/gross incompetence?  Was any undue force applied during the administration that causes the needle to be dislodged?
Such an act, especially in the administration of healthcare services to those entrusted in her care speaks volume of both the nurse training and nursing standards in present day Guyana. In question also is her ethical conduct, something that would make Florence Nightingale somersault in her grave while changing colour like a chameleon.
On withdrawal of the syringe, the mother of the child noticed that the needle was missing from the syringe, and on questioning, was told that it had fallen to the floor. What a blatant example of adding fuel to the fire!
This is an extremely serious violation of expected ethical conduct, and one that I am demanding be dealt with swiftly and condignly by the Hospital Administration, The Nurses Licensing Board and the Guyana  Health Department. No amount of argument can be proffered or convincing statements made regarding the safety in the continuation of practice of a nurse of such caliber. There must be  rigid inspection of those giving injections.
If one cannot be a nurse, then all efforts should be made that he/she does not become a curse. In conclusion, as a longstanding member of the health profession, my sympathy does go out to the parents, and it is my sincere wish that the infant receive adequate analgesia intervention until the offending object is removed from his body.
Yvonne Sam

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