Seven-Member Panel to Probe Alleged Medical Lapses, Negligence and Delay in Treatment
SRINAGAR, AUG 10: The Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Srinagar, has ordered a detailed inquiry into the cases of two patients reportedly treated at Moj Gobur (Medlyn) Hospital, Chanapora, and constituted a seven-member committee to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the reported patient outcomes.
As per the inquiry order, the committee has been directed to examine whether there were any lapses in treatment, medical negligence, delay in diagnosis, inadequate emergency management or failure to follow prescribed medical protocols.
The development follows an incident reported from the private hospital a few days ago. One of the patients, who had reportedly been admitted for a hysteroscopy procedure, was later shifted to SMHS Hospital, where she died.
However, officials have clarified that, based on the information presently available to them, only one patient has died while the other is alive and undergoing treatment in serious condition. The circumstances and reason for admission of the second patient have not been disclosed.
The inquiry order, meanwhile, refers to both cases and directs the committee to examine the circumstances surrounding the treatment and subsequent outcomes.
Panel to Scrutinise Medical Records
The inquiry committee, headed by District Health Officer Srinagar Dr Rubina Maqbool, has been tasked with examining the complete medical records of the patients.
The panel will scrutinise treatment records, operative notes, diagnostic reports, laboratory investigations, medication details, referral documents and other relevant medical records to establish the sequence of events.
It will also ascertain whether the hospital followed standard treatment protocols, post-operative care guidelines and appropriate patient-monitoring procedures.
The committee has further been asked to assess the availability and adequacy of ICU, emergency and critical-care facilities at the hospital at the time of the incidents.
Negligence, Delay and Emergency Management Under Scanner
The panel will specifically determine whether there was any delay, omission, negligence or deficiency in diagnosis, treatment or emergency management that may have contributed to the reported patient outcomes.
It will also examine the circumstances leading to the shifting of the patient to SMHS Hospital and determine whether timely intervention and appropriate medical care were provided at the private hospital.
If any professional or institutional responsibility is established, the committee has been directed to recommend appropriate action against those found accountable.
The panel may also suggest corrective measures to ensure that similar incidents do not recur in the future.
Seven-Member Committee Includes Medical Specialists
The seven-member panel comprises medical specialists and officials from different health wings, including a gynaecologist, surgeon and anaesthetist from Gousia Hospital, Srinagar.
Representatives from the Clinical Establishment Section of the CMO’s office and the PC&PNDT Wing have also been included in the committee.
Officials said the management of Moj Gobur (Medlyn) Hospital has been cooperating with the inquiry and providing the required information and records to the committee.
Report to Be Submitted Within Five Days
The CMO has directed the committee to complete the inquiry and submit its detailed findings, recommendations and report within five days from the date of issuance of the order.
The inquiry is expected to establish the sequence of events and determine whether any medical, professional or institutional lapse occurred during the treatment of the patients.
The case has also drawn attention amid another recent incident in Srinagar involving the death of a woman following a hysteroscopy procedure at a private IVF centre, the circumstances of which are also reportedly under investigation.
The findings of the latest inquiry will determine whether any negligence or violation of prescribed medical standards took place at the private hospital and whether further action is warranted. (KNC)
