A historic ruling was recently rendered by the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) in a case involving Apollo Speciality Hospital in Chennai and two of its physicians. Due to medical negligence, the commission levied a significant fine of ₹30 lakh. The patient in question underwent spinal surgery at Apollo Speciality Hospital in April 2015, but sadly, he or she never recovered consciousness. Ultimately, in April 2017, the patient passed away while the complaint was being investigated.
The patient’s son and wife filed a complaint alleging that anesthetist Dr. Vasantha Roopan, consultant spine surgeon Sajan K. Hegde, Apollo Speciality Hospital, and Apollo Hospital Enterprise Ltd. had neglected to provide proper post-operative care after the patient’s spinal surgery. Judge A P Sahi presided over the case, and the NCDRC managed the legal processes.
Details revealed throughout the proceedings indicate that following surgery, the patient’s health drastically worsened, resulting in a persistent vegetative state. The commission found numerous serious shortcomings in the hospital’s and the medical staff’s post-operative care.
Despite suggestions to do so, one of the pivotal points in the complaint was the choice to delay reintubating the patient following surgery. The panel questioned the length of time that passed before taking action as well as the reasons behind the delay of this crucial move. The panel concluded that this delay was a major factor in the patient’s unfavorable result.
The order from the commission, dated February 26, emphasizes the hospital staff that provided the patient’s care as well as the anesthetist, Dr. Vasantha Roopan, for their negligence. It stressed how the patient suffered greatly and their family suffered irreparably as a result of the lack of prompt and expert help.
In addition, the commission found that since hospital employees disregarded Dr. K. S. Hegde’s instructions regarding the patient’s care, he was held vicariously accountable for the negligence.
The NCDRC decided to penalize the anesthetist Dr. Vasantha Roopan ₹10 lakh for providing inadequate care, Dr. K S Hegde ₹5 lakh for acting as a surrogate, and Apollo Speciality Hospital ₹15 lakh for permitting the situation to worsen, causing the patient irreversible harm and severe suffering for their relatives.
The significance of maintaining high standards of medical treatment and accountability within the healthcare system is poignantly brought home by this example. The NCDRC’s ruling establishes a standard for holding healthcare providers and organizations responsible for shortcomings in patient care, with the ultimate goal of preserving patients’ rights and welfare.
