An American Friend from Jomtien Died today

[PattayaMale]

I learned about 2 hours ago that a really nice guy who has lived in Pattaya for several years has died today in route to the hospital. Some of you may know Matthew. He was young 40's, and had completely rebuilt a 1964 Vespa with side car.

 

One of the bar owners in Sunee Plaza who lived behind Matthew told me that all hospital emergencies rooms in Pattaya were full so he had to be transported to Siracha government hospitals. He flatlined on the way. Matthew had developed pneumonia and was not able to shake it.

 

His friend David is on his way from Canada. As soon as I know if a service will be held, I will let the members know

[lexusgs]

My condolences. A tragedy for someone to depart so young. RIP.

[Guest fountainhall]

How dreadful! Please accept my condolences. It must be especially heartbreaking given he seems to have been unable to get emergency treatment quickly.

[Guest BeginnersMind]

I'm sorry to hear that too.

 

I wonder if all the emergency rooms were full because of that baht bus accident in North Pattaya today.

[Guest luvthai]

The only Matthew I can think of is a teacher and also helps out on Quiz nights at Duc's bar. If this is the guy than it is truly a great loss to the community.

Just a shot may have prevented this tragedy.

[Guest MonkeySee]

One of the bar owners in Sunee Plaza who lived behind Matthew told me that all hospital emergencies rooms in Pattaya were full so he had to be transported to Siracha government hospitals. He flatlined on the way. Matthew had developed pneumonia and was not able to shake it.

 

I am so sorry to hear of friend's death. What a shame. Pneumonia kills many people but usually the frail and elderly. I can't help but think a simple shot or a course of antibiotics could have prevented this death. I am surprised a large hospital like Bangkok Pattaya would not accept your friend's emergency. May Matthew rest in peace.

[Guest lvdkeyes]

This seems like an unnecessary tragedy. In the US there would be a lawsuit in the works.

[Guest Astrrro]

I didn't know Matthew but my condolences go out to his friends and families.

 

It is especially sad when someone dies of pneumonia since it seems so preventable.

[Guest MonkeySee]

This seems like an unnecessary tragedy. In the US there would be a lawsuit in the works.

It is sad and an unnecessary tragedy. Perhaps there is more to the story? In sue happy America, there would be lawyers chasing the ambulance. Let's hope Thailand never goes down that road.

[Guest lvdkeyes]

I agree that in the US there are too many lawsuits, but in a case where a patient died as a result of being diverted to another hospital, it is justified. Obviously, he was quite ill and the ambulance and ER people should have known that before diverting him. It is a case of bad judgment on the part of the triage staff.

[kokopelli]

The death of this man is a sad occasion however best not to jump to conclusions concerning the circumstances leading to his death and pointing fingers or faulting the health care system in Thailand.

[Guest travelerjim]

The death of this man is a sad occasion however best not to jump to conclusions concerning the circumstances leading to his death and pointing fingers or faulting the health care system in Thailand.

 

Pattayamale & friends,

 

I am saddened to learn of his death,

and I know he had many friends in the Pattaya Gay Community.

 

For a young man of 42 years to die, it always is even more tragic.

 

But in all fairness to the health care system in Pattaya / Chonburi Province area,

I believe it must be said...

There were many things happening at the moment of his greatest need.

 

I was seated at Oud's Cafe last night when a dear friend of his related the happenings.

 

One - There was a tragic accident involving a drunk riving Canadian in North

Pattaya which slammed into a baht bus full of passengers. This resulted in both

several deaths of passengers and many serious injuries. They were transported

immediately to Bangkok Pattaya and Memorial Hospitals in North and Central Pattaya.

 

The ICU's and emergency rooms were filled caring with those passengers of the wreck.

 

Two - He was taken to Pattaya International Hospital and the emergency room was empty,

but he declined to be treated there as he did not like the hospital.

He asked/demanded to be taken elsewhere.

 

Three - He was then taken to Pattaya Memorial where he was briefly treated by the

doctors there, but they could not treat him in ICU because they were full - therefore

arranged for him to be taken by Ambulance to Sriricha - about 45 minutes North of Pattaya.

 

Four - He then was taken by "fast speeding" Ambulance to Sriracha to a large privately owned

hospital - either Samitijev or PiyaThai...(sp). He was treated in ICU/ER there

but was it not possible to save him.

 

From what I know - there is no basis for lawsuits. Only profound sadness in his passing.

 

The doctors in Pattaya and Chonburi who have treated him did there best to help him.

 

May he now rest in peace! Condolences to his family & friends.

 

tj

[Guest lvdkeyes]

This is a tragedy which could well have been preventable. This is not an indictment of the whole health care system here, which, from what I know and have experienced, is exceptional. Unfortunately, mistakes do happen in every system.

 

Triage involves assessing each patient who comes to the ER and deciding if the situation requires more immediate action than the others.

 

1. What I read was there was one death from the baht bus accident. Of course, we have no way of knowing how seriously the others were injured.

 

2. This was an unfortunate mistake on his part.

 

3. Again this was a matter of triage. I worked as a hospital coordinator for many years. One of the things I was required to do when a patient who needed to be in ICU was in the ER was to follow the protocol of moving patients from ICU to step down units. There was one time I recall that required a patient to be in ICU which was full. The step down unit was full, so I had to decided which patient could be moved to a lower level of care. When that was decided another problem arose in the placement of that patient. It went on and on. In the end 7 patients had to be moved in order for the ER patient who needed ICU to be admitted there. Of course, these decisions were coordinated with the physician.