Doctor denies role in guidewire found in patient's body despite admitting mistake
The presence of the guidewire was later discovered during an X-ray examination at RCC.
The presence of the guidewire was later discovered during an X-ray examination at RCC.
The presence of the guidewire was later discovered during an X-ray examination at RCC.
Thiruvananthapuram: Dr Rajeev Kumar of the Thiruvananthapuram General Hospital maintains that there was no negligence on his part during the surgery performed on S Sumayya. In a phone conversation with one of the patient’s relatives, he clarified that he did not place the guidewire discovered inside Sumayya's body.
From the conversation:
Relative: The loss is ours, isn’t it?
Dr Rajeev: Yes, it was indeed a mistake and I admit that.
Relative: A slip-up committed by you and we are suffering for it, right?
Dr Rajeev: It is a mistake, but not mine. I had no idea about it. Let’s discuss the matter with Sree Chithra (Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology). It can be removed.
Relative: But that could be troublesome, right?
Dr Rajeev: I asked others. Earlier, such guidewires used to be removed. They are saying that if it lies in an area where it causes no danger and the body is strong enough, nothing further needs to be done.
Relative: Had we known about this earlier, we could have moved legally.
Dr Rajeev: I too realised it only after seeing the X-ray. It was done by the anaesthesia team. I called them, but when they checked the documents, it did not show their involvement. It’s a very lengthy one.
Relative: If pursued legally, who would be in trouble?
Dr Rajeev: Everything has to be verified to identify where the lapse occurred. Whoever did it will be the culprit, isn’t it?
Relative: Can the culprits be identified on verification
Dr Rajeev: Yes, the culprits can be found.
Relative: Don't you have no role in this at all?
Dr Rajeev: I was not the person who did this. This is not a practice in our procedures. I am seeing this for the first time. I have no connection with it, though it is true the incident took place in my unit.
Guidewire won't cause major issues
Director of Health Services Dr K J Reena, meanwhile, said a report from Sree Chithra Medical Centre confirmed that the presence of the guidewire in Sumayya’s body would not cause any major health problems.
She added that a committee, chaired by the Additional Director of Health Services and comprising experts in cardiovascular thoracic surgery, diagnostics, anaesthesiology, and general surgery from the Directorates of Medical Education and Health, has been tasked with an inquiry. However, the identities of the committee members have not been disclosed.
The committee held its first meeting on the 14th. The director also noted that a decision has been taken to examine Sumayya’s treatment records from RCC and other hospitals as part of the inquiry.
Following her surgery, Sumayya was discharged on March 30, 2023, without any immediate complications. The presence of the guidewire was later discovered during an X-ray examination at RCC, after which General Hospital Superintendent Dr V Krishnaveni sought the opinion of Sree Chitra Medical Centre.
Lost job, life left in pain and distress
A week-long hospital stay, days in the Intensive Care Unit and unbearable pain.... Sumayya endured it all with the hope that the thyroid problem troubling her for years would finally end. But the lapse during her surgery only made life more difficult. She now carries a 50-centimetre-long guidewire lodged in her chest and with her health deteriorating, she had no choice but to quit her job at a laboratory.
With no land of her own and her husband working as a workshop labourer, Sumayya now lives in a rented house at Kamaleswaram. The family spends ₹10,000 on rent and another ₹6,000 on medicines every month, apart from the expenses of their only son. Sumayya says she regained her voice only a month after the surgery.
Dr Rajeev first alerted Superintendent
It was Dr Rajeev Kumar who first informed hospital authorities about the guidewire being left inside Sumayya’s body during her thyroid surgery.
When the issue was detected in an X-ray, Dr Rajeev immediately passed on the information to General Hospital Superintendent Dr V Krishnaveni. The superintendent, in turn, unofficially conveyed the matter to Health Director Dr K J Reena. Soon after, a committee was constituted to conduct an inquiry into the incident.