Supreme Relief after 29 yrs to the Sr. Cardiologist and AIIMS. The Allegations that the Heart lung machine was not used ’in-time’, were turned down. Adv. ROHiT ERANDE. ©

 Supreme Relief after 29 yrs to the Sr. Cardiologist and AIIMS. 

The Allegations that the Heart lung machine was not used ’in-time’,  were turned down.

Adv. ROHiT ERANDE ©

 

Case Details :

Before Hon’ble supreme Court of India

 

CIVIL APPEAL NOS.3905-3906 OF 2016

 

 

Dr. UPENDRA KAUL                                 APPELLANT(S)

 

VERSUS

 

S.C.MATHUR(DEAD)THRLRS.&ANR.                    RESPONDENT(S)

 

Coram : Hon. A.S.BOPANNA & Hon. PRASHANTKUMAR MISHRA J.J.

 

The judgment link :

https://main.sci.gov.in/supremecourt/2012/26131/26131_2012_4_110_46132_Order_16-Aug-2023.pdf

Facts in brief :

1. The matter reached to the Highest Court of the Land against the findings of the NCDRC, Delhi.

2. The respondents herein were before the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (for short `State Commission’) alleging medical negligence on the part of the appellant herein – the well known Cardiologist.

3. The case goes back to 1994, when the angiography was done on the deceased Asha Mathur on 02.02.1994 Dr. Upendra Kaul – the appellant herein. On 23.3.1994 she underwent angioplasty at the AIIMS and died the same evening at about 4:30 p.m.

4. The respondents in the said complaint had alleged that in respect of the angiography conducted on the deceased by the appellant- Dr.Upendra Kaul.  It was alleged that the heart and lung machine was not kept in the Cath Lab (where the angioplasty was performed). At about 8:45 a.m. the Complainants saw the doctor running to another room to bring the machine According to the Complainants the patient was already dead by the time the heart and lung machine was put in use.

5.  The State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (for short `SCDRC’) through its judgment dated 08.06.2006 having referred to the material available on record, had arrived at the conclusion that the appellant-Doctor cannot be held guilty of negligence. However, the Hospital is to be held guilty administrative negligence since the PCPS Machine and ventilator support was not available in the hospital when the angioplasty was conducted.

6. The NCDRC in the appeal filed by the appellant herein, has through its judgment dated 09.05.2012 upheld the finding and conclusion reached by the State Commission. (Judgment of the NCDRC : https://indiankanoon.org/doc/122844694/ ) The Review Petition filed was dismissed on 10.07.2012.It is in that light, the appellant is before this Court in this appeal.

 

Held :

1. Their Lordships at the outset observed that the matter lies in a narrow compass to consider as to whether in the circumstance as contended, the allegation of negligence against the Doctor as well as the Hospital would be justified.

2. It was further observed that,  after detailed discussion of the matter, the State Commission has categorically recorded that the Doctor cannot be held negligent and it is only the Hospital which is administratively negligent.

3. In the order passed by the NCDRC in paragraph 19 thereto, the NCDRC in fact, has upheld the judgment of the State Commission which would infact mean that the finding as against the Hospital alone was upheld and the allegation against the appellant-Doctor has not been accepted even by the NCDRC. Hence it is evident that the appellant Doctor has not been indicted on the allegation of medical negligence.

4. Their lordships further observed that, a further observations as contained in the order of the NCDRC to refer to the PTCA Report so as to contradict the version of the appellant Doctor could give an impression as if certain adverse observations are made against the Doctor. It is in that light, it is necessary for us to take note of the same and take into consideration this aspect of the matter.

5. It was observed that it is evident from the record that except for allegations made in the complaint, the respondents- complainants have not tendered evidence of any independent Doctor to speak with regard to the manner in which the treatment was rendered and as to whether the procedure as followed by the appellant-Doctor and the Hospital was not the appropriate procedure and therefore as to whether there was medical negligence or deficiency of any sort.

6. It was held that in the absence of the said evidence all that the State Commission was to examine was the evidence tendered on behalf of the appellant that is the version through the affidavit of Dr. Kaul, and the procedure that was followed. So far as the fact that the angiography was conducted and it was diagnosed that the angioplasty is to be performed and the same was performed as required, is not in dispute.

7. The issue that had been taken into consideration both by the State Commission and the NCDRC is with regard to the requirement post angioplasty i.e. ventilator support system subsequent to the angioplasty being conducted and also the bypass machine i.e. Percutaneous Cardio Pulmonary Bypass Support (PCPS) being put in use.

8. In that regard, what is specifically noted by the NCDRC is that though Dr.Kaul had stated that the ventilator system was immediately connected when the angioplasty had been conducted and the PCPS i.e., that is the bypass machine was connected within thirty minutes, the NCDRC in fact, in that regard, has arrived at the conclusion that such statement made by Dr. Kaul, is in fact contradicted by the very PTCA Procedure report.

9. In that regard, the NCDRC has indicated that in view of the said report, it would be clear that ventilator support was started within thirty minutes of cardiac arrest and therefore has arrived at the conclusion that there was delay in adopting the said procedure which has led to its conclusion that there was negligence.

10.         Their Lordships observed that after perusing the PTCA procedure report, it would indicate that the reference as contained therein is to the PCPs Bypass Machine which was to be connected, which was done within thirty minutes, which is the normal procedure and the ventilator was already in place.

11.         IT was thus held that the observation as made by the NCDRC that the ventilator was connected belatedly, is not justified. If that be the fact, the very observation to hold that there was delay and therefore the same had led to negligence on the part of the Hospital also is not justified and at the same time, the observation to hold that the PTCA report would contradict the version of Dr. Kaul is also not justified. Therefore, insofar as the adverse observations as contained in the impugned order against the  appellant-Doctor as well as the Hospital, are set aside.

12.         Lastly their Lordships observed that that Though they have arrived at the above conclusion, having taken note that the State Commission had directed payment of the lump sum compensation of Rs.2,00,000/- including the cost of the proceedings and since the said amount has already been paid to the respondents, the Court directed that the said amount shall not be recovered but at the same time, the payment made shall not bear any reflection on professional competence.

 

     It took almost 29 years to remove the sword of Damocles hanging over the head of Doctors and the Hospital and to finally reach to the conclusion that there was no Medical Negligence on part of the Doctors and the Hospital. Justice Delayed is Justice Denied, whatever may be the reasons. Indeed, the person who has gone, is not going to come back and that loss is always irreversible. But at the same time we should keep in mind that every death does not necessarily mean it was due to Medical Negligence. This Case has also subtly touched the importance of expert evidence which should be lead by the complainant  in Medical Negligence cases.

 

 

Thanks and Regards

 

 

Adv. ROHiT ERANDE

 

Pune.©