'Unpardonable negligence': Consumer court directs Telangana hospital to pay Rs 1.25 lakh compensation for wrong blood transfusion

Khammam: Holding a Bhadrachalam-based private hospital guilty of wrong blood transfusion to a patient, the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed it to pay Rs 1 lakh compensation.

The patient, who met a road accident, was given an incorrect transfusion, resulting in her prolonged issues. Apart from the Rs 1 lakh compensation, the treating hospital has also been directed to pay Rs 25,000 as litigation costs.

The history of the case goes back to January 2023, when the patient, a resident of Dummugudem village in Bhadradri Koothagudem district, suffered severe injuries in a road accident. Following this, the patient was shifted to a private hospital in Bhadrachalam, where, after conducting medical tests the treating doctors reportedly identified her blood group as A-positive.

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On the basis of the diagnosis, the patient was given A-positive blood. As per the latest media report by Newsmeter, soon after the transfusion, the health condition of the patient deteriorated, and her family shifted her to a private hospital in Khammam for advanced treatment.

At the second hospital, the treating doctors conducted fresh tests and found that her actual blood group was O-positive. Since she was given the wrong blood before, and due to the complications arising from it, the patient had to undergo repeated dialysis sessions before her condition stabilised.

Alleging medical negligence against the first treating hospital, the victim later approached the District Consumer Court. The Commission examined the medical records, evidence, and arguments from both parties. Ultimately, the Consumer Commission's President (FAC) Vadlamannati Lalitha and Member Addepalli Madhavi Latha held the hospital responsible for negligence in diagnosis and treatment.

Terming the incident as an instance of 'unpardonable negligence', the District Consumer Court directed the treating hospital management to pay Rs 1 lakh compensation and Rs 25,000 towards litigation costs.

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