A case of serious medical negligence has surfaced at the government-run Maharaja Yashwant Rao Hospital (MY Hospital) in Indore, where a nurse allegedly severed the thumb of a one-and-a-quarter-month-old infant while attempting to remove a venflon cannula.
The infant, who was admitted to the paediatrics department and undergoing treatment for pneumonia, sustained the injury on Wednesday at the hospital’s Chest Ward, officials confirmed.
Thumb severed while removing venflon
According to hospital authorities, the nurse tried to cut a dynaplast adhesive bandage used to secure the venflon on the baby’s hand. During the process, the infant’s thumb was accidentally severed.
The child was immediately shifted to the Super Speciality Hospital Indore, where doctors from MGM Medical College performed emergency surgery to reattach the thumb. Officials said the procedure was successful and the baby’s condition is now stable.
Disciplinary action taken
Following the incident, the hospital administration initiated disciplinary proceedings. Nursing Officer Arti Kshetri has been suspended, and the salaries of three other nurses involved in the duty team have been withheld for one month.
Confirming the incident, MGM Medical College Dean Dr Arvind Ghanghoria said an inquiry committee has been constituted and directed to submit its report within 24 hours.
“As soon as the matter came to my notice, I instructed the MY Hospital superintendent to form an inquiry committee. The nurse was trying to remove the venflon secured with adhesive tape and attempted to cut it, during which the infant’s thumb was severed,” he said.
Child’s condition stable
Dr Ghanghoria added that the infant, who had earlier been on ventilator support due to pneumonia, is now in stable condition following surgery. “The thumb has been successfully reattached, and the child is responding well to treatment,” he said.
He further stated that additional action will be taken after the departmental inquiry report is submitted.
Concerns over patient safety
The incident has sparked concern over patient safety and handling protocols in government hospitals, particularly in paediatric care. Health officials said corrective measures would be taken to prevent such incidents in the future.