Medical negligence case filed against Haripad taluk hospital in Kerala after dialysis deaths

The police have filed a case of medical negligence against the Haripad taluk hospital in Kerala in the incident wherein two patients undergoing dialysis at the hospital on December 29 developed adverse reactions and died a day later.

The case was filed on the basis of a complaint of medical negligence given by the family of Ramachandran, one of the patients who had died following dialysis complications. The family of another patient who had experienced adverse reactions during dialysis at the hospital during the same shift, but whose condition stabilised later had also filed a complaint with the police over the incident.

The police have charged the hospital authorities, including the Superintendent and technicians at the dialysis unit, under Sections 125 and 106 (1) of BNS.

The hospital has been directed by the police to form a medical board and conduct a detailed inquiry into the incident.

It was on December 29 that four patients who were undergoing dialysis at the Haripad taluk headquarters hospital experienced chills and vomiting while they were undergoing dialysis. Two out of the three patients who were referred to the Alappuzha Government Medical College died on December 30 and 31 .

Samples tested

The spot inquiry conducted by the Alappuzha DMO and the analysis of the water samples from the dialysis machine and other fluids were sterile and did not indicate anything amiss. Hospital authorities had maintained that the dialysis machines were serviced regularly and that the water quality surveillance was stringently followed.

Later, a full technical evaluation was conducted by a Health department team deputed by the DHS, including a microbiologist and a biomedical safety engineer. Samples of water from the dialysis units, water tanks, electrolytes, IV fluids administered to patients have all been sent for detailed analysis, including tests for endotoxins and results are awaited.

The families of the patients who died – both patients had been on maintenance haemodialysis for over five years – had alleged that the patients had been in good health and that they had contracted some infection from the hospital. Detailed investigations were on to determine if the patients had any blood infections and if it was hospital-acquired.

The Health Minister too had sought a report on the incident.

The dialysis unit in the hospital was closed for 15 days following the incident, till all microbiological and other evaluations were completed. All the patients who were undergoing maintenance dialysis at Haripad were found slots at the Mavelikkara district hospital by the Haripad hospital authorities.