Diabetes is called a silent killer for good reasons. It wreaks havoc in patient’s life, and sometimes doctors also get caught in its mesh, as happened in this case.
The patient, with a long history of diabetes, fractured her left leg. She was taken to the orthopaedic surgeon who performed surgery to insert a rod. Unfortunately, despite administering insulin and higher antibiotics, the wound at the operated site did not heal.
She was referred to a higher center, and from there to another hospital where the leg was eventually amputated.
The patient and her family sued the orthopaedic surgeon and claimed that he was negligent in properly treating a diabetic patient.
The Commission rejected the allegation as it was observed that the doctor followed due diligence in providing care. He carefully monitored patient’s sugar level and prescribed insulin and antibiotics accordingly. It was further observed that the risk of poor outcome specifically for diabetic patients was well documented.
Source: Order pronounced by National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission on 24th September, 2020.