Pregnant Woman Dies After suspected Blood Transfusion mix-up at SMS Hospital
Jaipur: In a tragic incident at Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur, a 23-year-old pregnant woman from Tonk district lost her life under controversial circumstances. Her family has alleged that she died due to the transfusion of the wrong blood group, marking the third such death at the state-run hospital since February 2024.
Medical Dialogues had previously reported that in an alleged case of medical negligence, a 23-year-old road accident victim died after blood of the wrong group was allegedly administered to him at Jaipur's Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital on February 12.
According to the news reports, the woman was admitted to SMS Hospital on May 12 in a critical condition. Medical officials stated she was suffering from extremely low haemoglobin levels, miliary tuberculosis, and multiple health complications.
A blood transfusion was requested on May 19, based on a test that reportedly identified her blood type as A+. Sources claim that she received the transfusion the following day. However, a subsequent blood test allegedly showed her blood type as B+, raising serious concerns about a possible mismatch and transfusion error.
She passed away on May 22, reportedly following a series of severe reactions including haematuria (blood in urine), tachycardia (rapid heartbeat), fever, and chills—common indicators of an acute transfusion reaction.
According to TNIE, denying any slip-up in the transfusion process, Swati Shrivastava, the treating physician, said, "I was on leave at the time. On inquiring, I was informed that the patient exhibited a reaction during the transfusion. She was already critically ill due to miliary TB and had complications following intrauterine fetal demise."
The woman’s family says they were kept in the dark about the alleged transfusion error. Speaking to TNIE, the deceased's brother-in-law Prem Prakash said the family had no knowledge about the "wrong" blood transfusion."
In response, Medical Education Secretary Ambrish Kumar convened a high-level meeting with Dr. Deepak Maheshwari, principal of SMS Medical College, and other senior officials. A three-member inquiry committee was swiftly established, comprising the additional principal and the heads of the departments of medicine and transfusion medicine. The committee has been tasked with reviewing the entire process — from sample collection and labeling to the actual transfusion protocols — and is expected to submit its findings by Monday.
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