Bikaner hospital launches inquiry after 75-year-old patient given wrong blood group

According to hospital sources, the patient, Bhawani Devi, was admitted due to severe anaemia and was undergoing blood transfusion on Wednesday evening when a unit of an incompatible blood group was allegedly transfused, reports PTI.

Family members stated that the first unit of blood, matching Bhawani Devi's blood group, which is A positive, was administered without any issues. However, a second unit of B-positive blood was allegedly supplied by the blood bank, which was transfused without proper cross-checking by the nursing staff in the cancer wing.

The error came to light when a relative noticed the blood group written on the unit during transfusion and immediately alerted the nursing staff and doctors. The transfusion was stopped and emergency treatment was initiated, following which the patient’s condition stabilised, they said.

The incident was reported to the principal of Sardar Patel Medical College, Dr Surendra Verma, who, along with the head of the department, visited the cancer wing to review the situation.

“The patient is absolutely stable at present. Her haemoglobin level was severely low, due to which blood transfusion was being given at night. Some issue arose during the transfusion process,” Verma said.

According to the recent PTI news report, he said a committee would be constituted to investigate the matter and ascertain where the lapse occurred. “Strict action will be taken against anyone found guilty in the inquiry,” he added.

Hospital authorities said further action would be based on the findings of the probe.

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