Employee pasted the wrapper. Doctor paid the price.
Issue -
October - 2026, Posted On: 01 October 2026
A doctor's liability does not always arise from what happens inside the operating theatre. Sometimes, it begins with what happens at the reception desk, in the medical records, or through the actions of clinic staff. The Bihar State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission recently demonstrated this distinction by holding that while an ophthalmologist was not guilty of medical negligence, he was nevertheless responsible for the confusion created by his clinic's documentation.
A patient underwent cataract surgery after opting for a Tecnis intraocular lens (IOL). During the operation, however, the surgeon implanted an ALCON IOL, explaining that it was the more suitable choice based on his professional judgment. The patient later questioned the decision after discovering inconsistencies between the surgery receipt, prescription and the wrapper of the lens supplied after the operation.
|