Patient dies after faulty intravenous cannulation causes gangrene: Hospital told to pay Rs 5 lakh to kin

The case concerned a 54 year old patient of Tangra, who was initially taken to GD hospital on April 8 due to various health issues. She tested COVID positive there, and due to lack of bed, was taken to Flemming hospital the next day.

Also Read: WBCERC Decisions: 3 Hosptials Fined For Medical Negligence, 1 Nursing Home For Refusing Patient

As per a recent media report in Times of India, the family members claimed that the doctors performed a faulty intravenous cannulation causing gangrene on her right hand, and while taking her home, they found issues with her right hand, eventually diagnosed as thrombosis. The family shifted her to another hospital in Salt Lake on April 15, following which she eventually passed away.

While passing the order to pay the compensation, WBCERC Chairperson Justice (retired) Ashim Banerjee noted, "We have asked the hospital authorities to provide a compensation of Rs 5.90 lakh to the deceased's family. The hospital claimed that they had taken enough care and the discharge summary of the patient says that she had issues on her left hand but in reality she had developed gangrene on her right hand. It happened possibly because of a faulty intravenous cannulation at the Fleming Hospital."

He further observed, "We have ordered the hospital to pay the amount in three installment failing which an interest at 8 percent would also be charged. The hospital authorities have urged for a mercy petition after passing the order. We have, therefore, allowed them to pay Rs 5 lakh within 10 days. If they fail to do so within the stipulated time, the compensation would be up to Rs 5.90 lakh."

On a similar note, while disposing of other cases, the health panel directed Charnock hospital to return Rs. 1.22 lakh to the family of a 38 year old woman who was charged excessively and the panel also asked Shree Jain Hospital in Howrah's Shibpur to pay back Rs 10,000 to a patient charged exorbitantly for a chest pain, reports Millennium Post.