Death due to 'nursing negligence' under probe

CHENNAI: The state medical council has asked the Tamil Nadu Nursing Council to investigate a complaint of negligence against nursing staff of a private hospital that led to complications and death of a 72-year-old patient nearly three years ago. Admitted for treatment of heart failure in the intensive care unit of Mogappair-based multi-specialty hospital, the man died of head injuries he had sustained after he fell down in the intensive care unit in July 2016.

The medical council, after reviewing the decision taken by the disciplinary committee earlier this week, resolved there was no case of faulty management on the part of the doctors under whom the heart patient had been admitted. Investigations on complaints given by the patient's son, Neelkamal G Sanklecha, however, showed inadequate nursing care killed his father N Ghewarchand Sanklecha. "We will be forwarding a copy of the complaint to the nursing council for further investigation," Tamil Nadu Medical Council president Dr K Senthil said.

Complaint from Neelkamal said his father was admitted to Madras Medical Mission ICU on June 17, 2016, following breathlessness and discomfort. He was treated with blood thinners and anti-clotting medication. The patient's attendants were not allowed to stay with him in the ICU. Later, Ghewarchand fell down on the way to rest room and suffered grievous head injuries.

In defence, the hospital management showed photographs of the bed which had restraints for grip and to prevent falls. They claimed that he still got off the bed, but could not stand properly. The nurse tried to help him, but she could not hold him. "The patient's head hit the ground and he sustained subdural hematoma and haemorrhage of the brain. The blood thinners and anti-clotting medication worsened the bleeding. The hospital administrators said they took scans and attempted to stop the bleeding, but his condition still did not improve. He was referred to Apollo Hospital, where doctors declared him dead," he said.

Dr R Thiagarajan, a member of state nursing council, said like doctors, negligence and misconduct by nurses should also be investigated. "The council has defined job profiles for nursing graduates, diploma holders and midwives. Doctors have been cleared of negligence in this case. But the nursing council should investigate it further to see the role played by nurses as they, too, take care of the patients," he said.