Max Hospital gets show-cause notice for negligence

The Delhi Medical Council (DMC) has slapped a show-cause notice to Max Hospital in Patparganj over an alleged case of medical negligence and overcharging for treatment. The case has moved to the disciplinary committee which will conduct its second hearing in March first week.

"The first meeting was held on February 5 in which two doctors were absent. We have asked all the doctors involved in the case to be present in the next hearing," said Dr Girish Tyagi, Registrar, DMC.

Shiv Kumar, 75-year-old, brought his wife, Kamini Gupta who was suffering from photosensitivity, seizure disorder to the Max Emergency on October 13, 2016. She spent 16 hours at the hospital for which the family alleged that they were charged Rs 86,407. Her husband alleges that she died due to a drug overdose.

"The neurological team of Dr Rajesh Gupta at 8:30 am on October 14, 2016, had in the case sheet prescribed Injection Fentanyl @50 microgram per hour, but due to medical negligence of doctors, a 14 times higher dose of Fentanyl @7 ml or 700 micrograms per hour was given to her, the side-effects of which is Bradycardia. This has diluted poison in her body as well as recurring cardiac arrest which deteriorated her condition," the family shared.

The family has also alleged that the hospital changed the timings of bills when a revised copy of bills was demanded by the council.

As per Max Healthcare Authorities, "All medications provided were in correct dosage and as per established clinical protocols. We administered 9 ampoules of Fentanyl of 2ml each and the same were billed to the patient. The allegation of over dosage is completely baseless."