A shocking case of medical negligence was reported at Fortis Hospital, in Delhi’s Shalimar Bagh area on Tuesday, where doctors operated upon a 24-year-old CA student’s left leg instead of his injured
A shocking case of medical negligence was reported at Fortis Hospital, in Delhi’s Shalimar Bagh area on Tuesday, where doctors operated upon a 24-year-old CA student’s left leg instead of his injured right leg.
The incident happened after Ravi Rai fractured his right ankle on Sunday evening as he fell down from stairs. Following the accident, his family rushed him to the Fortis Hospital in Shalimar Bagh for treatment, believing that their son would get the best care and recover fast.
According to Rai’s family, the doctors told them that there was a fracture in the ankle of his right leg. They said that Ravi might need to undergo surgery wherein four pins would be inserted in his ankle for support. To ascertain how severe the damage was, the doctors got some tests done, including a CT-scan and an X-ray. On checking the reports, they said that his condition was serious and a surgery would have to be performed at the earliest.
“The hospital assured that the operation will be done by expert doctors and that they follow highest standards in medical procedure. My son was operated upon on Monday, but we came to know of their grave mistake after Ravi gained consciousness and informed us that doctors had operated his left leg instead of right leg that was injured. The X-rays of both the legs confirmed the mistake made by the hospital,” said Ravi’s father Ram Rai.
Ravi’s father added that the hospital told him that the doctor’s confusion about the affected leg led to the incident.
Angry family members had Ravi discharged from Fortis Hospital on Tuesday and took him to another hospital where he is now undergoing treatment.
“The family members alleged that the doctors even tried to downplay the incident by telling them that it was a minor incident and that it could be fixed in no time. I am going to take up the case with all concerned authorities to take action against the hospital. I have already filed police complaint against the hospital,” said Ravi’s father.
Responding to the incident and charges of negligence, Fortis Hospital said in a statement, “We would like to reiterate that Patient Safety is of paramount importance to us. We stand by our rigorous Operating Room (Rs OR’) processes that have stood the test of time. These include detailed pre and post-operative surgical check lists which are to be diligently followed to obviate the remote chance of human error.”
“Following yesterday’s incident, we immediately set up an Expert Committee to enquire into the matter. Their preliminary view suggests that in the rarest of aberrations, the operating team may have disregarded and sidestepped due processes. We take our obligation to our patients very seriously. As this is a zero tolerance area for us, the services of erring Doctors and Rs OR’ personnel (five) have been dispensed forthwith. Action against some others is also being contemplated, pending enquiry,” hospital added.
“We regret the incident. We would like to re-assure all our patients that we are deeply committed to the purpose of providing sound medical care and to serving them with empathy and warmth,” hospital said.
