Four patients on ventilator die due to lack of oxygen

www.mangaloretoday.com

New Delhi, Dec 4, 2012: Four patients admitted in the Sushrut Trauma centre intensive care unit died on Tuesday due to lack of oxygen in the ventilator while the fifth in the ICU at the time of the incident is critical.

The deceased have been identified as Javed, 20, Rajkumar, 35, and Rehana, 36. The fourth person — a male in his late 30s — is yet to be identified. All the victims belong to Delhi.

The incident took place around 6:45 am on Tuesday. Sources blamed absence of technician for the deaths. One helper and one technician are to be present at any given time to man oxygen cylinders and supply of the gas. However, on Tuesday morning, only the helper, an eighth-standard pass without any technical knowledge, was present.

“Oxygen cylinders are to be changed in the morning. One has to be trained in switching off and on different knobs. The helper did not follow the rules properly. It was not his duty either,” said a source. This meant that less oxygen was flowing in the pipes for nearly 10 to 12 minutes. Due to low pressure, patients could not inhale enough oxygen and suffocated to death.

A senior doctor confirmed that the fifth patient, Vikram, 32, has also suffered due to the negligence. The doctor said his condition is critical and possibly he will never be completely all right, even if he survives.

The hospital authorities have formed a five-member internal committee to investigate the matter. The committee is expected to submit its report late on Tuesday.

Delhi government also formed a three-member committee to enquire into the matter. The enquiry, headed by S B Shashank, special secretary (health), would look into the causes of the incident. In addition, it would suggest measures to overcome recurrence of such incidents.

Dr A K Sethi of Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital and Dr Deepak Tempe, head, anaesthesia, Govind Ballabh Pant Hospital are the other two members of the enquiry committee. The committee has been directed to submit its report in three days. Health minister Dr A K Walia would also chair a meeting on Wednesday to review the situation in all other hospitals.

Meanwhile, family members of the deceased staged a protest at the hospital. But no case has been registered so far.

Courtesy: Deccan Herald