We're guilty, says Sassoon hospital

Three-member expert panel says not admitting paraplegic patientwho died on premises last week a lapse on part of hospital staff

Three-member expert panel says not admitting paraplegic patient who died on premises last week a lapse on part of hospital staff
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Au00a0three-member committee appointed by the dean of Sassoon General Hospital to probe the death of a paraplegic patient has admitted to 'lapse in following protocol' by hospital staffers.

We erred: Even though Sassoon (left) has admitted that it was at fault, it does not plan to take immediate action; the February 10 MiD DAY report

According to sources, the committee comprising of two senior doctors and a matron has held the chief medical officer responsible stating that it was his responsibility to ensure that the patient got medical attention and was admitted.

Ahmednagar resident Sonyabapu Sadashiv Patole (50), a handicapped patient had a fall from a staircase and was referred to Sassoon hospital on Tuesday night from the local civil hospital.

After a wait of many hours, an orthopaedic doctor saw him but only to do a few tests and X-rays before giving him some medicines and asking him to leave as the hospital allegedly did not have beds.

Patole was dumped in an open space near the OPD from where his family kept requesting for medical help until 5am the next day when he breathed his last.

Following this, the hospital set up a committee to look into allegations of medical negligence by the family.

Two days later, the committee submitted its report stating that indeed the hospital was at fault."The X-ray showed a normal report because of which the patient was referred to the casualty department for further opinion. The ward boy instead took the family to the OPD, which shuts down at 1 pm," said a senior doctor.

Renu Bharadwaj, dean of Sassoon hospital admitted that the committee report pointed towards lapses on the hospital's part in this case but said that no action could be taken at present.

"There is a protocol, we will discuss this in college council meeting for a decision," she said.