‘Unattended’ for 45 minutes, woman dies

Karam Prakash

Tribune News Service

Patiala, September 20

An elderly woman reportedly remained unattended for nearly 45 minutes after she fell unconscious on the stairs of a Covid ward at Government Rajindra Hospital here last evening.

She died within a few hours after she was rushed to the intensive care unit. The hospital authorities have ordered an inquiry by forming a three-member committee.

In a video of the incident, which has gone viral, the woman was seen lying unconscious on the stairs and a man was heard saying that no one had come to her rescue despite repeated requests.

Probe on, report soon

A preliminary report has been submitted. The probe panel will soon file the final report. —Dr Rajan Singla, GMC

As per the preliminary investigation, the patient was admitted to the hospital around 12.30 pm on Saturday with oxygen saturation (SpO2) below the critical level. Around 2 pm, the patient’s oxygen saturation improved to 91 per cent.

She reportedly went out of the ICU on her own and collapsed on the stairs. Sources said despite the presence of a number of doctors and paramedics in the ward, nobody noticed the woman for nearly 45 minutes before a staff nurse raised the alarm.

Around 3 pm, the patient was put on ventilator support, but she died three hours later, confirmed the hospital authorities.

Dr Rajan Singla, Principal, GMC, said: “A preliminary probe report has been submitted to the higher authorities. The committee will continue its investigation and file the final report soon.”

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.