13 contract infection after eye surgery
Rohit PS
The Government-run Sarojini Devi (SD) Eye Hospital is in the eye of a storm yet again after more than a dozen patients contracted a superbug following cataract surgeries performed last month. The affected persons fear they may not regain vision. Thirteen patients, all aged above 60, who were operated upon in theatre 2 at the hospital on June 30 were later found to be infected with Klebsiella bacteria.
Doctors noticed infections in the eye of patients when they removed bandages for examination in the days following surgery. When patients complained of pain, redness and lack of vision, an investigation was conducted to determine what could have gone wrong.
Doctors then removed the gel-like substance (called vitreous humour) from the eyes of affected patients for lab testing and found the bacteria. “Our preliminary findings point to contamination of Ringer’s Lactate or RL solution that is used during surgery. Surgeons’ role has been ruled out,” said Dr. Rajender Gupta, hospital’s Deputy Superintendent.
Of the three batches of RL Solution in the hospital, two bottles tested positive for the bacteria.
The solution was procured by the State’s Medical Services and Infrastructure Development Corporation from Nagpur-based Haseeb Pharmaceuticals.
When contacted, Yusuf Badar, pharma company’s Managing Director, said he had not received official communication from the state about the incident. He ruled out contamination of his company’s products and held the hospital responsible. “Bacterial infection is most likely a result of unclean wards or other issues in the hospital,” he said.
Case registered
A criminal case was registered against some doctors of Sarojini Devi Government Eye Hospital after Jithender Reddy a relative of one of the 13 patients, who complained of problems in vision after undergoing eye surgeries there, lodged a complaint with the Humayunnagar police on Wednesday.
Police invoked Section 338 (causing grievous hurt by an act endangering life or personal safety of others) of IPC in the First Information Report.
