Mother Questions Hospital Drilling During Daughter's Fatal Fever
The mother of a 17-year-old who died at Pattaya Patimakun Hospital questions why construction drilling proceeded in her daughter's room despite a known high fever. The hospital stated the death resulted from a pre-existing brain infection, not the drilling. The family seeks improved safety protocols but will not pursue legal action or an autopsy.
The mother of "Ton Khao" expressed mixed feelings after Pattaya Patimakun Hospital explained the circumstances surrounding her 17-year-old daughter's death from a brain infection. Hospital director Dr. Wichai Thanaspol and treating physicians held a press conference stating the girl had a pre-existing infection and high fever since 6 AM on October 12, hours before construction workers drilled walls to install a central monitoring system between 9 and 10 AM. Doctors assessed that the patient's deterioration was related to her underlying pathology, not the brief drilling work.
Ms. Sawalak, 36, the mother, said she accepts part of the hospital's explanation and does not blame medical staff, understanding her daughter had a severe pre-existing condition. However, she remains troubled by safety measures: if the hospital knew of the high fever from early morning, why was the drilling not avoided or postponed, especially in a room housing multiple critical patients? She noted that installation involved more than brief drilling, including cable routing and other work that could have caused prolonged disturbance.
The family paid 1,500 baht daily for a shared semi-critical care room seeking closer monitoring and maximum safety. While they do not know the exact cause of death, the mother wonders if the construction worsened her daughter's condition. She emphasizes she seeks no compensation or legal action, only that administrators and staff reflect on patient care standards. The family also declined an autopsy, wishing to avoid further procedures after the teen's prolonged suffering, and plans to proceed with funeral rites.
