Patients venting out their frustration on doctors / hospitals for not receiving desired result, and subsequently dragging them to court of law is not uncommon anymore. Doctors / hospitals who follow the accepted medical practice need not be intimidated by this trend as courts do take cognizance of the facts of case and can easily discern between mere allegations and truth.

Taking specific, separate and an informed consent for different interventions is mandatory by law. Any deviation from this is never taken lightly by the courts, as this case demonstrates.

Sumit, a young and aspiring footballer, sustained injuries on his left arm while practicing. He was rushed to Howrah District Hospital where Dr. Tara advised an X-ray that showed fracture of both bones of the left arm. The doctor prescribed analgesic, antibiotics and applied half cast plaster and advised fasciotomy surgery after three days.

Bishakha met with an unfortunate motorbike accident and was taken to the hospital where Dr. Nirmalya – an orthopedic surgeon – advised X-ray that showed fracture in the left shaft of humerus. The orthopedic surgeon performed Open Reduction Internal Fixation (ORIF) with Dynamic Compression Plate (DCP).

It is not just common knowledge but also common sense that fabricating medical records is unethical and unlawful. Yet some hospitals indulge in such immoral practices bringing disrepute to the entire medical fraternity.

Hospitals and Nursing Homes must clearly indicate charges, including the exclusions, for various services and must adhere to them. They ought to be extra careful when offering a package to patients and must ensure that they do not deviate from what is offered.