Hygiene shock at Gangwon Province nursing home

Family: 'We were so stunned we couldn't speak'

Photo is unrelated to the article. [123rf]
Photo is unrelated to the article. [123rf]

Larvae believed to be maggots, along with eggs, were found in and around the nose and mouth of a patient in their 70s at a nursing home in Gangwon Province, stirring controversy. Health authorities have launched an investigation.

According to YTN, the larvae were discovered June 7 inside the nose of a severely ill patient in their 70s — identified only as A — who was lying unconscious at the nursing home.

A's family, who had come to visit, shone a cellphone light into the patient's nose and spotted wriggling insects along with dozens of eggs around the nasal area. When they removed one of the insects with a cotton swab, it measured about 1 centimeter in length.

Larvae were also found around the patient's mouth and inside a drainage bag connected to the body to remove secretions.

"Something seemed off, so we turned on the flashlight and there were already dozens of eggs," the family said. "Then they suddenly started coming out of the mouth too — we were so stunned we couldn't speak."

The family also said the area around the medical tubing was heavily contaminated and that they had repeatedly asked the hospital to improve care. "Every time we visited, the smell was unbearable. We begged them to manage it properly," they said, holding the hospital responsible.

A had been admitted to the nursing home in April after failing to regain consciousness following brain tumor surgery.

The hospital said it had carried out necessary procedures on the day of the visit, including oral care and mucus removal, but acknowledged it had not checked inside the nose thoroughly. "We were focused on managing the area around the mouth and throat, so we were unable to inspect the nasal cavity in detail," it said.

The hospital also said it would overhaul its care protocols to prevent a recurrence.

The family transferred A to another hospital the following day for further examination.

The local public health center has begun an investigation to review the nursing home's medical records, treatment procedures and hygiene management practices.


jshan@heraldcorp.com