In a case of sheer negligence on part of hospital staff, a patient awaiting Neurosurgery sustained severe head injuries when she was stuck into the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine as she was taken on an iron stretcher inside the MRI Unit of Dr Ambedkar Memorial Hospital here.
The patient was admitted to critical care unit in the hospital while the lab technicians have been placed under immediate suspension by the hospital administration.
“From preliminary investigation it seems to be a matter of negligence. We have ordered for suspension of lab technicians and initiated an investigation into the incident,” said Commissioner Health, Pratap Singh.
According to information, Ram Kumari (33) wife of Ballu Srivash, resident of Mungeli was admitted to Dr Ambedkar Memorial Hospital for Neurosurgery for the past one month.
She was taken to the Radiodiagnosis Department for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) on Monday morning.
Kumari’s husband Srivash said that after the scan the hospital staff brought an iron stretcher to take her out with help of a Technician present on the spot. “We were not aware that only plastic or wooden stretchers are allowed in MRI Unit and within seconds, the iron stretcher was pulled by the machine along with my wife,” said he.
Kumari sustained injury on her head and face. She was immediately rushed to Critical Care Unit. She received 30 stitches on her head and was still under critical care. Mediapersons were restricted from entering the ward.
The family members and other patients of the ward expressed resentment on the irresponsible approach of the hospital staff leading to the incident.
“My wife has been kept here for a month and there is no improvement in her condition. Instead of relief from the existing pain, the negligence on part of staff has doubled her misery,” alleged Srivash, who runs a roadside hair cutting saloon in Mungeli.
Commissioner, Health, Pratap Singh rushed to the hospital and ordered for immediate suspension of the lab technicians responsible for the incident. local MlA Srichand Sundarani also visited the patient.