Andhra: Patient dies after 'wrong' blood transfusion at GGH, Kakinada; probe ordered

Kakinada: Medical negligence reportedly has led to the death of a 34-year-old woman at Kakinada Government General Hospital (GGH) in Andhra Pradesh.

The incident happened on November 26, when a house surgeon reportedly transfused the ‘AB positive’ blood group instead of the required ‘O-positive’ group.

The deceased Bhavana Sirisha, a resident of Palakollu in West Godavari district, has been suffering from a kidney ailment for the last four years. She was being treated at a private hospital in Amalapuram.

On November 4, she was admitted to GGH, Kakinada for better treatment. Doctors at GGH had advised a blood transfusion with ‘O positive’ group blood due to low hemoglobin levels.

After the relatives provided the necessary blood samples to the hospital’s blood bank, the House Surgeon on duty on November 26, Tuesday brought the blood from the bank and began transfusion.

The deceased’s mother Devadatla Peddintla said on Tuesday evening when the house surgeon on duty began the transfusion, one of the relatives noticed the blood group on the packet as AB positive. Instead of answering queries of relatives, the house quipped, “Don't I know…Are you telling me?”

Over time, the patient began showing breathlessness. The ‘AB positive’ blood was immediately removed, but Sirisha’s condition deteriorated. Despite efforts to stabilize her condition, Sirisha passed away on Wednesday morning.

Speaking to NewsMeter, Kakinada GGH superintendent Dr Lavanya Kumari said, "As of now we cannot say that the house surgeon has mistakenly transfused the wrong blood type. We have called for an inquiry on this incident, and we will take action based on the investigation report,".

The incident was immediately reported to the Health Minister. The government offered compensation to the family. Dr Lavanya Kumari handed over compensation of ₹3 lakh cheque and assured the family of a thorough investigation.