Elderly treated as per youth's CT scan report?

In another incident of glaring medical negligence, a 62-year-old man was treated at Midnapore Medical College and Hospital on the basis of a CT scan report of a 24-year-old youth.

The family members of the victim lodged a written complaint with the medical superintendent of the hospital on the basis of which the hospital ordered a probe. It was learnt that on March 17, Ratan Modok, a resident of Goshaibazar area of Chandrakona was taken to the hospital after he suffered a heart attack.

A CT scan was performed on the patient and the doctors started his treatment. The family members of Modok alleged that the condition of the patient did not improve. The hospital authorities had finally discharged the patient on Sunday as the doctors found nothing serious in the CT scan report.

After the family members brought the patient home, they found that his CT scan report was exchanged with another patient. The report was carrying the name of one Ramesh Dolui whose CT scan was also conducted by the hospital. After going through the report, the relatives of Modok found that they have got the report of a 24-year-old youth. It was alleged that the doctors at the hospital also treated the elderly person on the basis of the report of another person. As a result of this, Modok was not cured and his condition deteriorated after being released from the hospital.

After the matter came to light, Modok's family members went to the hospital and lodged a complaint with the hospital authorities. It was learnt that the diagnostic centre of the hospital was being run by a private organisation called Nirnoy. The family members of the victim met the senior officials of the diagnostic centre and sought an explanation as how the report was exchanged with that of a youth. After going through the details, an official of the diagnostic centre told the family members of the patient that two reports were mistakenly issued against one ID and this had caused the whole confusion.

The senior officials of the Midnapore Medical College and Hospital had assured the victim's family members that a committee would be formed to probe the incident.