The patient, a pregnant lady, was admitted to the hospital at 1:30 PM. C-section was performed at around 10 PM and a healthy baby girl was delivered. Unfortunately, the new mother developed disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). She lost a lot of blood, and eventually her life.

Is it necessary to take patient’s consent for outdoor day-care procedures such as dental treatments, etc.? The Consumer Commission in this case has ruled in the negative.

The pregnant patient was taken to a primary health centre in the wee hours of morning. She delivered a healthy baby girl but soon thereafter developed postpartum haemorrhage (PPH). An ambulance was called for transferring her to a higher centre, which unfortunately took more than thirty minutes to arrive.

Any unreasonable delay in providing treatment after confirming diagnosis is negligence. Such delays could also prove fatal for patients, as happened in this case.

The patient, with a history of ectopic pregnancy, conceived second time and approached a hospital where the gynecologist prescribed medicines. After about a month she experienced pain in abdomen and visited the hospital again where she was referred to a higher center as the embryo was developing in fallopian tube.

Who is responsible to ensure the quality of plates, implants, stents, lenses, etc. used for interventions? Hospitals / doctors if it is bought by them on behalf of patients.

A worrying trend is beginning to emerge. Doctors and hospitals are erring in a number of instances while following non-treatment related protocols such as taking improper consent, writing incorrect names, etc. These administrative lapses do not help the cause of healthcare providers in a court of law, as is established in this case.