Doctor injects child with improperly stored drug at Chongqing hospital

A preliminary investigation by the Chongqing Municipal Health Commission has found that a doctor at the Chongqing Medical University Children's Hospital injected a child patient with a drug that was improperly stored, CCTV news reported on Saturday. 

According to the investigation, the child, surnamed Ma, was admitted to the hospital's department of neurology on Dec 9 after being diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (Type II) and received an intrathecal injection of nusinersen sodium.

On that day, after retrieving the medication, the doctor placed the drug in the freezer compartment of a refrigerator at 1:54 pm, moved it to the refrigerator compartment at 2:17 pm, and then took it out for warming at 2:24 pm. After a successful lumbar puncture, the child received the intrathecal injection at 2:34 pm. With no adverse reactions observed, the patient was discharged on Dec 10.

The patient's family later found that the drug should be stored at temperatures of 2 to 8 degrees and should not be frozen, raising concerns that the injected drug might have been ineffective.

Upon confirming that the drug was improperly stored, the commission quickly organized a team of medical experts to assess any potential impact on the child's condition and develop a further treatment plan, ensuring the child receives timely and professional care.

The commission added that it will conduct an in-depth investigation and strictly prevent similar improper practices in medical services.