Kerala’s public health system has moved to restore confidence after two disturbing incidents in which surgical instruments were left inside the abdomens of women patients during separate procedures, only to be discovered and removed later.
The back-to-back lapses triggered public concern and prompted swift action from the Health Department.
In response, the department has issued a comprehensive set of guidelines aimed at eliminating surgical errors and tightening accountability across hospitals.
A key directive mandates that every patient be fitted with a wristband carrying complete surgical details.
In addition, the specific body part to be operated on must be clearly marked in advance to avoid any ambiguity in the operating theatre.
The guidelines also impose a strict ban on the use of mobile phones inside operation theatres, citing the need for undivided attention and adherence to sterile protocols.
Importantly, the new norms apply uniformly to all procedures, irrespective of their scale, covering both minor and major surgeries.
A detailed pre-operative verification process has been made mandatory.
Doctors and nurses are required to ensure that the patients’ inpatient numbers and case records are fully completed.
The ward doctor and nurse in charge must fill out and sign a pre-operative checklist, which is then to be reviewed and countersigned by the nursing officer overseeing the operation theatre.
Only after these steps are completed can the patient be moved in for surgery.
The guidelines place strong emphasis on instrument accountability.