Three-member inquiry committee formed to investigate treatment delay and ICU admission issues in pneumonia patient’s death
Pune: The health department has constituted a three-member inquiry committee after the family of an 18-year-old patient alleged medical negligence leading to his death at Aundh District Hospital.
Officials said the investigation was initiated following a formal complaint submitted on March 9 to Pune district civil surgeon Nagnath Yempalle.
Patient Brought to Hospital With Severe Breathing Difficulty
According to the complaint, the teenager, a resident of Sangvi in Pune, was suffering from pneumonia and was brought to the hospital around 11:30 p.m. on March 6 due to severe breathing difficulty.
Family members claimed that his oxygen saturation level was between 60 and 70, indicating a critical medical condition.
Despite the seriousness of the situation, the patient was reportedly admitted to the male medical ward instead of being immediately shifted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Family Alleges Delay in Medical Attention
The relatives further alleged that doctors attended to the patient only after a delay of 10 to 15 minutes, following which oxygen support was provided.
According to the complaint, hospital staff initially informed the family that ICU admission was not required. The patient was later taken for an X-ray examination, but some staff members allegedly refused to assist the family, claiming it was not their responsibility.
Condition Deteriorated During Night
The patient’s condition remained stable until around 2:30 a.m., when he reportedly began bleeding from the nose. The family alleged that the oxygen mask became filled with blood and that they repeatedly alerted the doctor on duty for immediate assistance.
A resident doctor later examined the patient and increased oxygen support, but the bleeding allegedly continued.
Despite repeated requests from the family and signs of an unstable pulse, the patient was shifted to the ICU only around 6 a.m., where preparations were made to place him on a ventilator.
Patient Declared Dead After ECG Tests
The family claimed that the patient’s condition worsened further, and around 9 a.m. they informed the doctor that his heartbeat had stopped.
Hospital staff then conducted two ECG tests, both reportedly showing a flat line, after which the patient was declared dead.
“The night shift staff and doctors are responsible for the death of my brother. Emergency patients should either be immediately shifted to the ICU or referred to another hospital,” the deceased’s sister said.
Three-Member Panel to Conduct Investigation
Following the allegations, the health department formed a three-member inquiry committee to examine the circumstances surrounding the death.
The panel is headed by Amit Lavekar and includes Keshav Butte and Amol Chandgude.
Officials said the committee has been directed to conduct a detailed investigation and submit its report at the earliest.
Health Officials Visit Hospital
Deputy Director of Health Services for the Pune region Bhagwan Pawar visited the hospital and discussed the case with the civil surgeon and hospital staff.
“The committee has been asked to complete the inquiry quickly and submit its findings. Further action will be taken based on the report,” he said.
Meanwhile, civil surgeon Dr. Nagnath Yempalle stated that he was out of town on official work when the incident occurred and was initially unaware of the matter. He added that details were being collected and the night duty staff had been called in for discussion as part of the investigation.
