KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 10 — A former employee of Imperial Dental Specialist Centre told the Sessions Court here that the centre did not dispose of any of the needle tips used in dental treatment as they were washed for reuse instead.
Former dental surgery assistant, Noor Azima Mohd Nuwi, 26, said the cleaned tips would be kept in a bottle.
“The tips are used to flush patient’s teeth or gum. They are connected to a syringe,” she said during examination-in-chief by deputy public prosecutor Nadia Zulkefli in the trial in which the clinic is facing nine charges relating to the death of Datuk Syed Alman Zain Syed Alwi while being treated at the premises last year.
The 10th prosecution witness was responsible for assisting the doctor in the surgery room, including in preparing the necessary equipment for the surgery.
When asked by judge Harmi Thamri Mohamed @ Shaharuddin whether reusing the tips had been a practice at the dental centre, Noor Azima said: “During the time that I worked there (at Imperial), the bottle is indeed being used to keep the tips. The tips will always be reused after being washed.”
Earlier, the witness said that she and her colleagues were given training to identify all emergency equipment at the centre after the death of Syed Alman Zain.
She said it was the first training she had ever received while working at the clinic and that it was conducted by Datin Dr Wong Yen Ling, or also known as Dr Alice.
When asked the date of the training, the witness said she was unsure, but it was a few days after the death of Syed Alman Zain.
On Aug 12 last year, the company represented by company director Dr Wong claimed trial to nine charges in connection with Syed Alman Zain’s death.
Dr Wong, as licence holder, was charged with, among others, failing to ensure that Dr Ting Teck Chin, who administered anaesthesia to Syed Alman Zain, had the qualification to do so.
The centre is also accused of failing to ensure that the individuals it engaged to perform orthopantomogram, anaesthesia and IV sedation on Syed Alman Zain had the necessary qualifications.
It is also accused of failing to put in place, life-saving measures by not providing oxygen as a basic emergency care service as well as failing to submit to Universiti Malaya Medical Centre, a copy of all of Syed Alman Zain’s medical records when he was transferred there.
The centre is also charged with failing to keep and maintain a staff register record, adhere to medicine labelling regulations and take adequate measures to protect its professional healthcare and environment staff from biological hazards.
The offences were allegedly committed at the dental specialist centre at Jalan Telawi, Bangsar Baru, Brickfields here between 6pm and 9.05pm, between May 26 and June 2, 2016.
Seven of the charges are under Section 31(4), 39(2), 40(4) and 117(2)(b)(i) of the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998, which provides for a fine of between RM30,000 and RM300,000, upon conviction.
The other two charges are under Regulation 49(7) and 245(6) of the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services (Private Hospitals and Other Private Healthcare Facilities) Regulations 2006, which carry a fine of up to RM10,000 or three months’ imprisonment or both, on conviction.
Lawyer P. Sreekant represented Dr Wong on behalf of the dental centre.
The hearing continues Nov 27. — Bernama
