Patient leg amputated, TCM practitioner suspended and fined

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A traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner, Mr. Lee Miing Chong, was suspended for three years and fined $5,000 after administering various treatment which led to the amputation of a patient’s leg from the knee down.

The TCM Practitioners Board said in a press release on 13 Mar. The board also said that he had tried shifting the blame of the patient when investigated. It was reported that Mr. Lee, who worked at the Royal Acupuncture Specialist Center in Toa Payoh, showed a “complete lack of remorse” during the inquiry hearing.

Having a medical history of diabetes and poor sensation in both feet, the patient had lodged a complaint against Mr. Lee on 3 Apr 2017 for professional misconduct and negligence over two consultations.

During the first consultation on 3 Jan 2015, Mr. Lee administered heat lamp treatment on the patient’s feet, causing the development of blisters on the soles of his feet.

Upon stepping on the ground to walk, the blisters burst and fluid flowed out. The patient then immediately returned to Mr. Lee, who cleaned and dressed his wounds.

However, the patient returned to Mr. Lee for a second consultation after he developed a high fever overnight. This was when Mr. Lee used the electric pulse treatment and acupuncture on the patient.

The patient was then admitted to the hospital for severe burn wounds as the condition of his feet worsened. Ultimately, the man had to undergo a below knee amputation of his left leg as the burn wounds did not due to the patient’s diabetes and his other conditions.

“Given the seriousness of the complainant’s injuries which was evident from the fluid-filled blisters, Mr Lee should have advised the complainant to seek immediate medical attention,” the committee wrote.

Instead, Mr. Lee proceeded to use acupuncture and electric impulse treatment, delaying the appropriate treatment for the patient’s burn injuries. This amounted to professional misconduct and/or negligence, the board said.

The board advised TCM practitioners to exercise great care and caution when prescribing and/or administering heat treatments on patients with diabetes.

Wa shag, overnight lose a leg like that, so undeserving. I hope that the patient is living his life well.


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