AIIMS nurse death: Senior doctor terminated, 3 others face action
NEW DELHI: Premier health institution AIIMS on Tuesday terminated services of a senior resident doctor and initiated disciplinary action against three others in connection with the death of a pregnant nurse.
AIIMS Deputy Director V Srinivas said the senior resident, anaesthesiology, was found guilty of “wilful absence” and reached the operation theatre nearly an hour late.
“Due to his absence, the lower segment C-section was done without the nurse being given general anaesthesia,” he said. His services have been terminated, Srinivas said.
The action was taken on the findings of a high-level enquiry committee which pointed out procedural lapses and negligence on the part of the doctors.
As per a statement issued by the institute, a displeasure memorandum of the Director, AIIMS, will be issued to senior resident, gynaecology.
This means he will not be eligible for an employment at AIIMS after the completion of his 3-year tenure.
“A warning shall be issued to the junior resident, anaesthesiology, for having left the operation theatre under pressure of residents of obstetrics and gynaecology,” the statement said. It said a showcause notice will be issued to the consultant on call from the department of obstetrics and gynaecology for not being present for the emergency operation despite being informed.
Besides, the head of department, anaesthesiology, has been asked to ensure roundthe-clock availability of senior residents at the maternity OT.
It has also been asked to ensure that the consultant of anaesthesiology is available on the hospital premises to oversee and supervise anaesthesiology services in ICUS, wards and emergencies.
The 28-year-old nurse with AIIMS, Rajbir Kaur, died on February 4 during delivery through cesarean section. Kaur had suffered a cardiac arrest during the surgery.
During treatment, she lost her baby and was put on life support.
“The AIIMS director held two rounds of meeting yesterday to decide action to be taken on the basis of the report,” Srinivas said. The inquiry committee questioned all doctors involved in the incident before finalising the report.
A day after the nurse’s death, AIIMS had suspended three senior residents from obstetrics and gynaecology department and two junior residents from anaesthesia department pending inquiry.
The action was taken based on preliminary report by a committee headed by medical superintendent D K Sharma which ruled out any “intentional gross medical negligence” on part of the five doctors. But the suspension was revoked following protests from resident doctors association (RDA) which sought a detailed probe into the matter.
Meanwhile, AIIMS on Tuesday said it will give Rs 10 lakh compensation to the next kin of a pregnant staff nurse who died earlier this month due to negligence by the doctors treating her.