Medical Negligence Shocks Kanpur
Kanpur: In a startling case of alleged medical negligence, a junior resident doctor, a nurse, and a ward attendant at Lala Lajpat Rai Hospital in Kanpur were suspended after a living patient was mistakenly declared dead, triggering post-mortem formalities, officials said.
Error Discovered During Post-Mortem Preparations
The error came to light on Saturday evening when police personnel arrived at the Medicine Ward to shift the body to the mortuary, only to find the patient alive. Sanjay Kala, principal of Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Medical College, which manages the hospital, confirmed the shocking revelation to PTI.
Inquiry Committee Formed
A three-member inquiry committee has been constituted to probe the incident. Vice-principal Richa Agarwal, Chief Medical Superintendent Saurabh Agarwal, and Superintendent-in-Charge Rakesh Singh have been tasked with submitting a fact-finding report within 48 hours. Strict action will be taken based on their findings.
Mistaken Identity in the Ward
The incident occurred in Medicine Ward Number 12, where two destitute patients were admitted on adjacent beds. Vinod was on bed number 42, while an unidentified elderly man in his 60s was on bed number 43. The elderly patient died during treatment, but the junior doctor reportedly filled out Vinod’s file, declaring him dead.
Panic Ensues in the Hospital
The revelation caused panic when police arrived for post-mortem procedures. Senior officials, including Superintendent Rakesh Singh and Principal Sanjay Kala, rushed to the ward. The junior doctor admitted the mistake and apologized, according to hospital sources.
Cause of the Error
Superintendent Singh confirmed that the lapse occurred due to incorrect documentation. “The junior doctor mistakenly filled out the file of the wrong patient. The records were corrected and sent to the police again,” he said, clarifying the situation.
Relatives Contacted and Patient Status
Police contacted Vinod’s relatives using the phone number listed in his medical records. After seeing him alive, they left the hospital. Vinod remains stable and is undergoing treatment, though his relatives reportedly refused to stay and later left the hospital citing lack of arrangements.
Unidentified Patient Details
The elderly patient had been found unconscious about five days ago and admitted after police could not establish his identity. He had been suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea and died during treatment. His body has since been sent for post-mortem, said Govind Nagar SHO Rikesh Kumar Singh.
