Oops: Male Patient given gynaecological test report, Hospital slapped compensation

Kolkata: The recent hearing of the West Bengal Clinical Establishment Regulatory Commission saw a number of cases of investigation errors where the commission either slapped fine or directed refund. While one hosptial was slapped a fine for giving test reports that gave values of the gynecological test of a male patient, a radiology centre was directed refund after it misreported a gall bladder in a patient that had no gall bladder.

Coming down heavily on Narayana Memorial Hospital in Behala, the West Bengal Clinical Establishment Regulatory Commission (WBCERC) has imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 on the facility after finding negligence on the part of the hospital and its laboratory.

The complainant claimed that he took his parents to the hospital to consult a doctor. The doctor gave them advice and suggested some common tests. Accordingly, the elder couple underwent some tests. When the test reports came, surprisingly it showed that the gynecological test of the woman was against her husband's report. When the complainant informed the hospital about the mishap, the hospital conducted the same set of tests again; however, instead of conducting the repeat test free of cost, the hospital charged the complainant twice for the same set of tests.

The patient's family lodged a complaint with the commission. The private hospital then informed the family that they would initiate a refund for the tests and requested them to withdraw the complaint. The health body during the hearing asked the hospital to return the costs of the tests which have been charged twice. Chairman of WBCERC, Mr. Banerjee stated," This is unethical that the hospital charged the patients twice for the same tests when it was due to their mistake. We have asked the hospital to refund Rs 820 which was the cost of the test. The commission additionally imposed a fine of Rs 5000 on the facility."

Another similar incident:

The WBCERC requested two private diagnostic facilities in Kolkata to reimburse the fees for a diagnostic test. The reports indicated that the gallbladder of the patient is contracted though he did not have a gallbladder. The first diagnosis showed that the gallbladder was 1.4 cm contracted and also had stones in it. Then, the USG was repeated and the second diagnostic report again showed a contracted gallbladder. The doctor performed surgery based on the report. However, the reports were incorrect and the surgeon discovered during surgery that the gallbladder was missing. The patient hasn't had a gallbladder since birth. This can be seen in one among 10,000 people. Then the doctor ruled the appendix as the cause of the pain and operated on it.

"We did not find any negligence on the part of the doctors as they referred to the reports of the radiologists. However, the patient can approach the medical board against the radiologists. We have asked the diagnostic centers to refund the test fees," stated the commission.