Consulting vascular surgeon could have saved hand of ITBP soldier’s mom

Times News NetworkKanpur: Investigation points at medical negligence that led to amputation of the hand of a woman patient whose son is a soldier in the Indo-Tibetan Border Police on May 17. The probe panel stated that had the help of a vascular surgeon been sought in time, there could have been no need for amputation. The severed hand was to be sent to the FSL lab on Tuesday, but could not be sent without a letter from the CMO. According to police, no letter had been provided by the CMO yet.On Tuesday evening, police collected evidence from Krishna and Paras hospitals and Railbazar police station in charge Aman Singh issued notices to management of both hospitals for investigation. Police said details pertaining to BHT (behavioral health technician), CCTV footage, treatment details and statements of staff will be recorded soon.Doctors in the investigation committee stated that the patient Nirmala Devi had gangrene in her hand, which necessitated its amputation. Family members, on the other hand, alleged that during treatment in the presence of doctors at Krishna and Paras hospitals, color of the woman’s hand gradually began turning black and blue, while the swelling kept increasing continuously, a clear indication of gangrene or serious infection, yet the doctors dismissed it as common swelling.The investigation committee has also noted in its report that in the name of examination and treatment, doctors at both hospitals kept changing medicines, but ignored the actual health problem. The probe panel said if a vascular surgeon had been consulted, there would have been no need for amputation. Additional CMO Dr Ramit Rastogi said the investigation report revealed negligence on part of both hospitals. Had they shown the patient to a surgeon in time, the woman’s hand could have been saved from amputation.ITBP soldier Vikas Singh, resident of Fatehpur, admitted his mother Nirmala Devi to the ICU of Krishna Hospital on May 13 after she developed breathing difficulties. With no relief from her condition and swelling increasing in her hand, she was admitted to Paras Hospital on May 14. Doctors there cited infection and amputated her hand on May 17.Singh filed a complaint with police alleging negligence by doctors, but no action was taken. It was when he filed a complaint with the police commissioner on May 19, that an inquiry was conducted by a committee led by CMO. On directions of the police commissioner, Railbazar police registered FIR against doctors of both hospitals under section 125 (B). On Tuesday, Inspector Aman Singh visited both hospitals and gathered information.