5 Doctors Found Guilty of Medical Negligence after Patient Dies of Septicemia Due to Sponge Left In Abdomen

Pilibhit: Five doctors have been found guilty of medical negligence for allegedly leaving a surgical sponge inside a patient's abdomen while conducting a hysterectomy.

Last year on December 5, the patient died from septicemia and after investigating the matter, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Pilibhit has found five doctors guilty.

The doctors, who have been found guilty in the CMO's report, include assistant professor in the general surgery department Dr Ruchita Bora, senior resident Dr. Saif Ali, and senior gynaecologist Dr Asha Gangwar. All of them are posted at the Autonomous State Medical College. Apart from them, two private hospital doctors, Dr Rambeti Chauhan, and Dr Himank Maheshwari, were also held responsible.

"Had Gangwar opted for a ‘pre speculum' examination before directly proceeding with the hysterectomy, the sponge would not have been left inside. This could have significantly reduced the medical complications," said the CMO, Dr. Alok Kumar.

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Consequently, the District Magistrate has forwarded the report to the Additional District Magistrate (finance and revenue) for further action. The State Medical Administration has also been informed about this, TOI has reported.

As per the latest media report by the Times of India, the patient hailed from Mishrain Gautia village near Pilbhit city. Her husband informed the Daily that the patient was suffering from excessive uterine bleeding and due to this, he took her to a private hospital in Devipura Village on July 7. The treating doctor, who also works as a senior resident doctor at the district women's hospital conducted the hysterectomy and consequently, the patient was discharged on July 23 with a report stating that the patient was "stable with no complaints."

However, soon, the patient developed acute abdominal pain and swelling and alleged she informed about this repeatedly to the doctor. "Despite 15 days of hospitalisation and three months of follow-up treatment, her symptoms only worsened," her husband alleged.

Following this, she was taken to the District Women's hospital on November 14 and the treating doctor referred her to the general surgery department. An ultrasound was conducted and the report revealed that there was excessive pus and swelling. Another surgery was performed on November 16 to drain the excessive pus and swelling. However, the pain persisted.

Subsequently, a CT scan was performed and the report confirmed the presence of the sponge. However, the patient's husband alleged that "this critical information was withheld from us, and Kheelawati was discharged on Nov 26 despite her deteriorating condition.."

Thereafter, on December 1, the patient was taken to another private hospital in Bareilly, where the doctors confirmed the presence of the sponge. TOI has reported that a CT scan revealed that the sponge, left inside the patient during the initial hysterectomy, had led to excessive pus formation and swelling in her internal organs. 

Two surgeries were performed on December 1 and December 5 to remove the sponge. However, the patient died hours after the second procedure. 

After the issue was highlighted in the media, the DM of Pilibhit Sanjay Kumar Singh ordered an inquiry on December 10. After conducting the inquiry, the CMO, Dr. Alok Kumar held the doctors responsible for negligence, concealment of critical facts, flawed diagnosis, and improper surgical procedures.

Commenting on this, DM Singh told TOI, "The report has been sent to the ADM (finance and revenue) for a final decision regarding administrative and punitive action against the erring doctors. A copy is also being sent to the state medical administration for necessary intervention."

Also Read: Criminal Proceedings Quashed: HC Relief to Gynaecologist Accused of Leaving Sponge Inside Patient