Negligence in Colonoscopy: Health Panel slaps Rs 3 lakh compensation on diagnostic centre
Kolkata: The West Bengal Clinical Establishment Regulatory Commission (WBCERC) has slapped a compensation of Rs 3 lakh on a Kolkata-based diagnostic centre located in the southern part of the city for negligence in performing a colonoscopy procedure on a patient. The commission has ordered the clinic's management to pay the sum as compensation to the patient in eight separate installments.
The complainant accompanied her husband to the diagnostic centre for a colonoscopy test a few weeks ago. Her husband is employed by a private company in Odisha. During the procedure, the patient suffered a perforation, a serious complication associated with a high risk of mortality. His situation needed immediate medical attention.
Justice Asim Banerjee, chairman of the WBCERC stated, "After considering the arguments from both the complainant and the diagnostic centre, we determined that there were instances of negligence on the part of the facility. Although perforation can occur during this type of procedure, the diagnostic centre failed to take necessary steps, such as arranging for the patient to be promptly transferred to a government hospital for emergency medical care. We have determined the compensation after considering the financial situation of te patient who has been bedridden and unable to work."
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