1 day ago
Himachal Commission Orders Payout After Improper Blood Storage Death
A woman went to a private nursing home for knee replacement surgery.
Her family brought a blood unit in case she needed it.
The commission said the nursing home kept the blood for about 22 hours without showing that it was stored correctly.
The records about when the transfusion happened also disagreed with each other.
The woman became seriously ill after the transfusion and was taken to another hospital.
She later developed severe infection and problems affecting several organs.
She died several days after the surgery.
The nursing home denied negligence and said the transfusion was medically needed.
The commission ordered the nursing home to pay money to her family and imposed an additional fine.
A woman died after complications following a knee replacement and blood transfusion at a private nursing home.
The Himachal Pradesh Consumer Commission said the blood unit was retained for about 22 hours without proven proper storage.
The commission cited a non-functional temperature monitor, an illegible chart and contradictory transfusion records.
The nursing home was ordered to pay Rs 10 lakh compensation, Rs 25,000 in costs and a Rs 50,000 punitive fine.
The commission found no negligence by the blood centre, RPGMC Tanda or the health department.
- Who
- A woman who underwent knee replacement surgery, her family, and the private nursing home involved.
- What
- The Himachal Pradesh Consumer Commission found the nursing home negligent over blood storage and medical-record failures after the woman’s death.
- Where
- The surgery took place at a private nursing home in Himachal Pradesh; she was later referred to Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda.
- When
- The woman was admitted on March 22, 2023, underwent surgery on March 23, received the blood approximately 22 hours after issue on March 24, and died on March 28, 2023; the commission issued its order on August 25.
- Why
- The commission said the nursing home failed to demonstrate proper blood storage, follow transfusion procedures and maintain consistent records.
Commission’s findings
Nursing home’s position
Blood storage and transfusion timing
Commission’s findings
The commission said the nursing home failed to establish that the blood was stored properly and noted that it was transfused approximately 22 hours after issue, despite applicable storage and timing requirements.
Nursing home’s position
The nursing home denied negligence and maintained that the transfusion was medically necessary because of blood loss during surgery.
Cause of the woman’s deterioration
Commission’s findings
The commission held the nursing home liable for failing to follow standard procedures and for discrepancies in its records, while noting suspected transfusion-related acute lung injury among the medical findings.
Nursing home’s position
The nursing home said the transfusion was stopped when the woman developed chills and shivering and cited other possible medical complications.
Medical documentation
Commission’s findings
The commission pointed to a seemingly non-functional refrigerator temperature monitor, an illegible temperature chart, conflicting transfusion times and a discharge summary that omitted the transfusion and adverse reaction.
Nursing home’s position
The nursing home disputed liability overall, although the commission found the facility’s records deficient and incomplete.
Key facts
- Compensation
- Rs 10 lakh ordered for the complainants.
- Litigation costs
- Rs 25,000 ordered.
- Punitive fine
- Rs 50,000 to be deposited into the District Consumer Legal Aid Fund, Kangra.
- Blood issue time
- The packed red blood cell unit was issued at 1:54 pm on March 23, 2023.
- Storage guidance
- The blood centre specified storage at 2°C to 6°C in a dedicated blood-storage refrigerator and completion of transfusion within four hours after issue.
- Referral and death
- The woman was referred on March 25, 2023, and died on March 28, 2023.
- Medical findings
- The reported causes included severe sepsis, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, septic shock, acute kidney injury and suspected transfusion-related acute lung injury.
Quotes
Himachal Pradesh Consumer Commission
The state consumer commission deciding the medical-negligence complaint
“We do not find any error, much less a material irregularity or illegality, so as to warrant exercise of revisional jurisdiction conferred on this Commission…Accordingly, we see no reason to interfere with the impugned orders and the concurrent findings”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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