Anaesthesiologist, 2 nurses suspended after 3 women die of post-surgical infections at Karnataka Hospital

Bengaluru: Holding a gynaecologist, an anaesthesiologist, three nurses and an operation theatre technician responsible for the death of three women due to alleged post-surgery complications at Pavagada Government Maternity Hospital in Tumakuru district of Karnataka, the district health department has taken strict action against them.

The department has suspended the anesthesiologist and two nurses with immediate effect and also dismissed a gynaecologist, nurse, and operation theatre technician (contractual staff under the National Health Mission) in connection with the case. 

The suspension was put into effect after it was found that there was negligence in maintaining hygiene during the surgeries and also mismanagement of the operation theatre and wards.  

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The district health department issued the suspension after a thorough investigation which revealed that there were shortcomings in the surgical procedure. It also revealed that the operation theatre and equipment used during the surgical procedure were not sterilised following which there was a lack of hygiene.

On February 22, seven women were admitted for surgery including childbirth at the Pavagada Government Maternity Hospital, located about 160 km from Bengaluru. However, out of the seven women who underwent various surgical treatments on the same day, three women died due to alleged post-surgical infections.

The three deceased women have been identified as 20-year-old Anjali of Rajavanti village, 30-year-old Anita of Virlagondi and 40-year-old Narasamma of Bydanur. All three of them died within five days after they underwent caesarean section, sterilization and hysterectomy surgeries respectively.

According to the ETV Bharat news report, Anjali had a cesarean section at the hospital, but her condition deteriorated after childbirth, leading to her transfer to Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru. Unfortunately, she passed away on February 24 without responding to the treatment. 

Anita, who had a sterilization procedure, passed away on the day of the treatment. Narasamma, who underwent a hysterectomy, unfortunately, died a few days after her surgery. Following the operation, her health deteriorated, leading to her admission to Vani Vilasa Hospital in Bengaluru. Subsequently, she was transferred to Victoria Hospital for further medical treatment but succumbed to her condition on February 25 without showing any signs of improvement.

Following their death, the family members of the deceased and the villagers on Monday staged a demonstration by blocking the road that leads to the hospital accusing the doctors and staff of medical negligence. Demanding justice for their kin, the family members alleged that the doctors were responsible for their deaths. 

Acting on the complaint of the family members, Commissioner of Health and Family Welfare, D Randeep ordered a detailed investigation into the incident and a three-member team led by Dr Puspalatha, Director, of Health and Family Services was formed. 

“Surgeries were conducted for four women one after the other, without following any standard operating procedures. Patient safety measures were not followed and no measures were taken to prevent infections. This led to the death of three women,” Dr Randeep informed TNIE.

An official order issued on Tuesday said, "Signs of spread of infection were detected in patients who underwent surgery, and it was apparent that there was a lapse in the surgical procedure. This type of infection usually occurs when the operating room is not fumigated and the operating room equipment is not autoclaved. This is responsible for the death of three. Those responsible have been dismissed from duty as per the contract agreement of the District Health Association."

Till now no FIR has been registered against the doctors and the hospital staff in connection with the incident. 

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