Hospital fined for patient's death due to negligence

A district consumer forum here held the Delhi Heart and Lung Institute liable for gross negligence that resulted in a patient's death in 2007. The hospital has been directed to refund the medical fees and compensation of Rs.150,000.

Kaushalya Babbar, 76, had died at the Delhi Heart and Lung Institute following an angioplasty in 2007.

The consumer forum noted that the hospital failed to monitor Babbar's deteriorating condition, especially internal bleeding after her angioplasty. It said the hospital did not shift the patient from the ward to the cardiac care unit (CCU) or provide emergency medical treatment even after she vomitted blood.

The hospital, however, has denied the allegations and attributed Babbar's death to old age related medical conditions and kidney failure. But the court earlier this week held the hospital's negligence responsible for her death.

"As per the medical records of the hospital and the admitted facts and events, the allegations in the complaint are proved and the hospital is liable for gross negligence in the post-operative medical treatment... and has ordered the hospital to refund the entire medical fees charged and compensation of Rs.150,000," said D.S. Bawa, president of the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, north Delhi.

Last updated on Jul 10^th, 2009 at 21:06 pm IST--IANS