The District Consumer Commission in Coimbatore has completed a case that demonstrates the disastrous effects of medical malpractice. Tragically, Rajalakshmi, D Saipreman’s wife, died in Kalpana Hospital as a result of complications following a medical operation. After a scooter accident, she was admitted for surgery, which was set for January 12, 2018.The series of incidents that culminated in Rajalakshmi’s demise illustrates structural shortcomings within the medical field. About eleven p.m. on the eve of her planned surgery, a nurse started a blood transfusion and gave her an injection of furosemide. After that, Rajalakshmi started having terrible physical pains. She told the duty nurse, but no doctor attended to her. She stopped receiving the transfusion later that evening, but by three in the morning, she had a high fever and chills. Remarkably, neither emergency medical assistance nor a transfer to a facility more suited to manage her condition were given. At seven in the morning, she sadly passed away from severe lung damage, a side effect of the previous blood transfusion.
After this tragic event, D. Saipreman filed a complaint with the District Consumer Commission against Kalpana Hospital, demanding compensation for his wife’s premature death. The commission, which included members P Marimuthu and G Suguna in addition to President R Thangavel, decided in favor of Saipreman after giving it some thought. They ordered the hospital to provide him Rs.20 lakh as compensation for the death of his wife and an extra Rs.,000 to cover legal costs.
This instance emphasizes how crucial it is to follow strict medical guidelines and how urgently patients need to be cared for, especially during life-saving surgical procedures. Rajalakshmi’s distress signs were not promptly responded to by the attending physicians, indicating serious breaches in hospital rules and patient safety precautions.
The commission’s ruling serves as a reminder of the wider ramifications of medical negligence in addition to addressing the financial effects on the victim’s family. It highlights how important it is for medical professionals to maintain high standards of care in order to guarantee patients’ safety and wellbeing at all times.Tragic incidents like the death of Rajalakshmi demonstrate the severe consequences that medical malpractice can have on patients and their families, underscoring the urgent need for strong oversight and responsibility in the healthcare system. The commission’s decision is a lighthouse for justice in these kinds of situations, with the goal of averting more incidents by raising awareness, following guidelines, and establishing accountability systems in healthcare facilities.
SOURCE:
TIMES OF INDIA
