Family alleges inadequate care and delayed treatment after hospital fall; authorities deny negligence and cite shortage of side-railed cots
An 87-year-old stroke patient died two days after falling from a cot at Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, with his family alleging inadequate care following the incident and raising concerns over patient safety at the hospital।
The patient had been referred from Kollam Government Medical College for specialist treatment and was admitted to Ward 28 of the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital on August 26। According to hospital authorities, his son and sister were accompanying him as caregivers।
On August 29, the patient reportedly fell from the hospital cot and suffered injuries to his forehead and face। His relatives alleged that he did not receive timely and appropriate medical attention following the fall and claimed that the delay in treatment contributed to his death।
The family also alleged that the cot provided to the patient did not have protective side rails। They further raised concerns over the time taken to release the body after his death।
Hospital Denies Negligence, Says Patient Was Under Care
Hospital authorities have denied negligence and said the patient was receiving care। They stated that the fall occurred while his son was acting as his caregiver and that the patient had not been left unattended।
According to the hospital authorities, the facility does not have enough cots equipped with protective side rails। Such cots are reportedly prioritised for patients without caregivers and those with conditions such as head injuries, delirium or patients receiving psychiatric medication।
The hospital administration has said that a post-mortem examination was conducted to determine the exact cause of death। The body was released to the family on Monday evening, while the post-mortem report is awaited।
Fall Raises Fresh Patient Safety Concerns
The incident has renewed concerns over patient safety measures at government hospitals। A similar incident was reported in June, when a 62-year-old patient with altered sensorium fell from a hospital cot and later died।
The need for adequate side-railed cots has previously been highlighted, particularly in view of nursing staff shortages in large public hospitals।
The Medical College Hospital Superintendent said that the hospital did not have enough cots with side rails to provide them to all elderly patients।
The exact cause of death in the present case is expected to be clarified after the post-mortem report is received।