Suspected Ectopic Pregnancy admitted under Surgeon rather than gynecologist: Fortis slapped Rs 10 lakh for negligence

Kolkata: The West Bengal Clinical Establishment Regulatory Commission (WBCERC) has slapped Rs 10 lakh compensation each on Fortis Hospital and Institute of Neuro-Science, Kolkata after they were found guilty of negligence leading to the deaths of two patients.

During the Press meeting on Tuesday, WBCERC chairperson Justice Asim Banerjee, who is also the retired judge of Calcutta HC, informed that Fortis Hospital was held negligent for admitting a pregnant woman with ectopic pregnancy under the care of a General Surgeon, instead of a Gynecologist.

On the other hand, the Institute of Neuro-Science, Kolkata (INK) was held negligent for infrastructure deficiency while providing treatment to a patient suffering from a neurological disorder. The patient collapsed after undergoing an MRI and there was a delay in commencing critical care. Ultimately, the patient died.

Both hospitals have been asked to pay Rs 10 lakh each as compensation to the respective families of the two patients who died while undergoing treatment.

In the case of Fortis Hospital, the patient was pregnant and she consulted a Gynecologist for treatment. The Gynecologist opined it to be a possible case of Ectopic Pregnancy and prescribed some tests. She underwent the tests prescribed by the doctor on 19.08.2023. 

However, the patient started suffering minor pains and when she informed the same to the Gynecologist, the doctor advised her to get admitted to Fortis Hospital.

Meanwhile, Fortis Hospital admitted the patient under a General Surgeon instead of a Gynecologist as the Emergency Medical Officer suggested that there must be some abdominal issue. She was admitted on 20.08.2023 at 11:09 AM. Ultimately, the patient died on 1:05 PM.

Also Read: Hospital, Doctors slapped Rs 10 lakh compensation for medical negligence in treating Acute Pancreatitis

While considering the matter, the WBCERC opined it to be negligence on the part of the hospital. It observed that the patient was undergoing continuous treatment under a Gynecologist, who opined it to be a suspected case of Ectopic Pregnancy. Despite this, the hospital admitted the patient under the care of a General Surgeon instead of a Gynecologist. Treatment for Ectopic Pregnancy was not conducted and therefore the patient died, opined the WBCERC bench.

The other matter concerned a first-year college student who was suffering from some neurological issues and contacted Dr. Ganguly at IMK. The treating doctor suggested an MRI. According to the hospital, the MRI was uneventful.

However, soon after undergoing the MRI, the patient collapsed and died. WBCERC opined that there was deficiency in the infrastructure of the hospital. The MRI was conducted at a separate building, which does not have emergency facilities. The Commission observed that there were no critical care experts, and only a neurorehabilitation aft physician and one other doctor was present there. 

Even though code blue was declared, no critical care could be initiated. The Commission observed that those two doctors could not even begin intubation. By the time, the patient was taken to the main building and intubation was done, golden hour was lost. It took more than 30 minutes to shift the patient and the Commission also considered the post-mortem report. However, WBCERC Chairperson Mr. Banerjee informed that the final opinion was not given in the post-mortem report.

In this case also, considering the infrastructure deficiency of the hospital, the Commission directed the patient to pay Rs 10 lakh compensation to the family of the deceased.

Also Read: Calcutta HC sets aside WBCERC order, directs Commission to re adjudicate case concerning death of pregnant doctor due to delayed medical attention