Kerala Medical Panel Exonerates Doctor in Forceps Left Inside Patient Case
A four-member committee at the Alappuzha government medical college has reportedly given a clean chit to Dr Shahida, who faced serious allegations of medical negligence. The case stemmed from a pair of artery forceps being discovered left inside a patient's abdomen after a surgery performed in 2021.
Committee Findings and Background of the Incident
The committee, headed by the resident medical officer (RMO) at the Alappuzha government medical college, concluded that Dr Shahida followed all required surgical procedures. According to the report, the doctor stitched the abdominal wound after the operation only after confirming with the nurse that all equipment used during the surgery had been properly collected.
This incident involved Usha Joseph, a 51-year-old woman from Punnapra, who underwent surgery at the hospital after being diagnosed with a large uterine tumour. The procedure was performed under the unit of Dr Lalithambika Karunakaran and led by then assistant professor Dr Shahida of the gynaecology department. Following the surgery, Usha was discharged from the hospital.
Patient's Suffering and Subsequent Discovery
Due to the forceps being left inside her abdomen, Usha Joseph endured severe pain for several years. She visited multiple hospitals seeking relief from her persistent discomfort. The critical discovery came later when an X-ray conducted at a private hospital in Ernakulam revealed the presence of the forceps in her abdomen.
The foreign object was successfully retrieved during a surgery performed on Saturday, and Usha is currently in recovery. As part of the ongoing investigation into this medical negligence case, the retrieved forceps have been handed over to the Ambalapuzha Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP).
Administrative Actions and Current Status
Following the initial medical negligence allegations, the director of medical education had suspended both Dr Shahida and nurse P S Dhanya. The committee's report now provides a different perspective on the events, suggesting that established protocols were followed during the surgical procedure.
This case highlights the complexities involved in medical negligence investigations and the importance of thorough committee reviews in determining responsibility in surgical mishaps. The patient's prolonged suffering and the subsequent investigation underscore the critical need for meticulous surgical protocols and post-operative verification processes in healthcare settings.
