The Night the Patient Vanished

The night shift in the base hospital Diyatalawa was in full swing. The on-call intern, weary but alert, received an urgent admission: a patient brought in on a trolley from the surgical unit. The patient, reeking of alcohol, was accompanied by his wife. As the intern began the routine history-taking, it became clear that the patient was unconscious. His wife explained that they had been at a party, consuming alcohol heavily, and he had fallen to the ground, sustaining a minor head injury.

The intern, following protocol, assessed the patient and contacted the senior surgical house officer. After a teleconsultation, the consultant surgeon advised a CT scan and immediate transfer to the General Hospital Badulla. The intern was also instructed to prepare for potential intubation and ventilation.

While preparing for the transfer, the intern inserted a urinary catheter. As the catheter was being inserted, the previously unconscious patient suddenly woke up, shouting in pain and using abusive language. The intern immediately informed the senior resident, who, after a brief conversation with the patient, deemed a CT scan unnecessary, citing mere intoxication.

The incident, however, took an unexpected turn. As the intern resumed patient care, he realized the patient was missing. The hospital was thrown into a state of alarm, initiating a search for the missing patient.