Hospital Investigates Nurse Abuse Claims After Patient Death
A woman died at a Khon Kaen hospital after posting photos showing marks and bruises on her body and complaining of long ER waits; her son now questions why staff allowed her to use the bathroom alone before she lost consciousness and suffer
On August 17, criticism erupted online and in the local community after a woman died following social media posts made from a hospital emergency room showing unusual marks on her body. The woman posted at noon that she had been waiting since 12 p.m. for examination at a hospital in Khon Kaen province, using strong language to express frustration about the delay. The post received approximately 4,200 reactions, 2,100 comments, and 1,900 shares at the time of a screenshot. Another post included photos showing her lying in a hospital bed appearing pale and exhausted, with dark and swollen lips, along with images of reddish and pink marks and bruises scattered across her palms, fingers, thighs, and lower torso. The quality and angle of the photos were insufficient to confirm whether the marks were raised or to identify clear blisters, open wounds, or pustules. A Facebook user identifying as the deceased woman's son commented expressing thanks and revealing that his mother should have been discharged that day or the next. However, around 4 a.m., staff called to report that his mother had lost consciousness in the bathroom while using the facilities, struck her head on the floor, and was found to have bleeding in her brain. The son questioned why family members did not accompany his mother to the bathroom, why staff did not notice her getting out of bed, and why she was left alone. He noted that visiting hours ended between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., and questioned whether nursing staff were responsible for patient care after that time. The son stated that he, his father, and relatives were in shock and unable to ask detailed questions at the time, uncertain about the next steps.
