A senior cardiologist narrowly escaped from being held negligent for failing to adhere to one of the most basic protocols in patient care.
He was providing care and treatment to a 78-year-old man with cardiac ailments. The patient had undergone bypass surgery in past.
The patient had visited cardiologist with complains of breathlessness, uneasiness, headache and vomiting sensation. The doctor prescribed medicines, but to no avail.
Five days later the patient visited the doctor with similar complains. The doctor advised immediate hospitalization. Unfortunately, the septuagenarian succumbed to cardiac ailments.
His family sued the cardiologist, alleging that the doctor ought to have performed tests to ascertain patient’s condition. But rather, he simply prescribed medicines in a casual manner.
The Delhi High Court took cognizance of Delhi Medical Council’s report on the matter. While the doctor was not held negligent, the hon’ble court observed that:
“It is noted that the patient had first visited the doctor with complains of breathlessness, nausea, headache and vomiting sensation, for which the treatment advised as per the prescription was appropriate and since ejection fraction was 50% in a patient with history of bypass surgery, there was no pressing requirement for further cardiac evaluation. Having said that, the prescription suffered from certain shortcomings i.e., it did not mention the symptoms or any diagnosis; the clinical findings regarding blood pressure and chest were illegible. The duration for which medicines were prescribed was also not mentioned. The prescription reflects casual approach, which is not expected of an ordinary reasonable prudent doctor”.
While the doctor was not held negligent, such a reproach would have probably made him more aware about the importance of recording appropriate details in the prescription.
Source : Order pronounced by Delhi High Court on 6th November, 2023.