Hospital fined ₹5 Lakh for negligence after surgical gauze left inside. (Representative image: Pexels) 
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Kolkata Hospital Fined ₹5 Lakh for Leaving Surgical Gauze Inside Patient

Kolkata Hospital Fined ₹5 Lakh for Negligence After Surgical Gauze Left Inside Patient, Leading to Complications; Family Seeks Justice, Hospital Yet to Respond.

Dr Sreelekshmi P

A private hospital in Kolkata, Medica Superspecialty Hospital, has been ordered by the West Bengal Clinical Establishment Regulatory Commission to pay ₹5 lakh in compensation to a patient. The patient developed severe post-operative complications after undergoing cardiothoracic vascular surgery, which led to the discovery of a surgical gauze left inside their chest.

Hospital’s Response Sparks Outrage

According to retired judge Ashim Banerjee, the commission’s chairman, the hospital initially dismissed the patient’s complaints. It was only after a chest X-ray revealed the gauze that the hospital agreed to perform a corrective surgery. However, the hospital informed the patient’s family that the procedure would not be covered under the state health scheme, Swasthya Sathi, or by insurance.

It was only after a chest X-ray revealed the gauze that the hospital agreed to perform a corrective surgery. (Representative image: Wikimedia Commons)

Family Seeks Justice at Another Hospital

Refusing to pay for the surgery, citing the hospital’s negligence, the patient’s family opted to have the corrective procedure done at SSKM Hospital. The commission noted that while mistakes can happen, such errors could have been prevented if the paramedical staff had been more vigilant.

Compensation Lower Than Expected

The patient’s family initially demanded ₹1 crore as compensation, but the commission settled on ₹5 lakh, stating that the higher amount lacked logical justification.

Medical Expert Highlights Risks of Retained Foreign Objects

A surgeon from another hospital explained the potential dangers of foreign objects left inside the body, including chronic infections, fever, pus formation, and persistent cough. Timely intervention is critical to prevent these complications, the surgeon emphasized.

Hospital Yet to Respond

A source at Medica Superspecialty Hospital stated that the legal team had not yet received the official order. "We can comment only after going through the published order," the source said.

Timeline of the Case

The matter was first heard on August 29, 2024, with both parties asked to submit documents. The final hearing occurred on November 29, 2024, after all paperwork was filed.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Dr. Sreelekshmi P/MSM)

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